God's Presence as Never Before

Matthew 3:11-17

The Anticipation and Surprise of John the Baptist

In our text we hear the voice of Jesus himself for the first time in Mt. After a 30-yr gap in our knowledge, Jesus comes to John to be baptized and amazing things begin to happen.

John was a prophet like Elijah in wilderness pronouncing God’s coming judgment – especially on Pharisees (Law) and Sadducees (Temple): “brood of vipers” (3:7). He calls all to repent, be baptized to prepare “the way of the Lord” for the in-breaking Kingdom of Heaven.

John proclaims the one who will follow him: his power, worthiness. Beyond plunging in water, he will plunge you in Spirit and Fire. John’s words echo words of scripture in Mal., Isa., etc. The coming one will embody God’s judgment, sifting, gathering wheat, burning chaff. He’s ready.

Then Jesus comes. It doesn’t seem right. He should take over, not be baptized. He should show power, fire, judgment. John expects the Messiah that so many envisioned. Jesus surprises! Not by being more glorious than we expected, but by being one of the crowd of people.

Baptism and a New Reality for Everyday Living

Romans 6:1-19 

From What God Does, to What We Do
Paul has announced the Good News of Jesus in marketplaces and synagogues many times. He knows that people often find it hard to grasp the impact of it for their lives. Or they resist its meaning. Thus the questions (6:1,15). OK, sounds like God’s done a good job. It’s a level I’m not used to dealing with. Why don’t I just continue as is and let God do it? In church history, the reformation so emphasized faith over against the works practices of medieval Catholicism, that sometimes any sort of human freedom/action was seen as dangerous. All was predestined. In reaction, some said the Gospel is only human reform...