In this chapter Jesus’ cousin John the Baptist is actively baptizing people (including Jesus) and rebuking the religious leaders who come to investigate him.
” ‘Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’ ” (v10-12)
Pharisees and Sadducees come to observe John baptizing people, and he has some clear (or blunt) thoughts for them. He warns them that God / Jesus will one day purge this earth of all unrepentant sinners (those who are chaff or non-fruit-bearing trees). Sandwiched between the two farming metaphor chocolate cookies, is the icing of the Oreo – Jesus is coming to baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Baptism, translated literally, means to overwhelm or immerse. There are three main types of baptism in this chapter:
– water baptism is the outward expression of one’s inward commitment to follow Jesus and symbolizes dying to our old sinful selves
– fire baptism is symbolic of Jesus’ ongoing process to refine us like gold in a furnace; this process removes impurities (sin) leaving only what is pure (see Zec 13:9)
– Holy Spirit baptism signifies us being filled to the brim with God’s indwelling Spirit, and being surrounded by His protective presence at all times (see Jn 14:17)
All three of these types of baptism are only available to those who commit to following God / Jesus. If you or another Christ follower you know have not yet experienced one or more of these forms of baptism, I suggest looking into them further. Those who pursue these are able to bear good fruit for God’s kingdom, and avoid the eventual destruction promised to those who are unfruitful.
Father God, our Holy and Purifying Lord, we praise Your magnificent name. Thank you for sending Jesus and the Holy Spirit to cleanse and purify us. May we consistently lean into that relationship and process, becoming more and more refined as Your followers. May our purification set us apart from this world, and catch the eyes of those who will one day follow You as well. May we glorify You in all that we say and do, from this day forward, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training