While Jesus was living in the Galilean hills, John, called “the Baptizer,” was preaching in the desert country of Judea. His message was simple and austere, like his desert surroundings: “Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.” John and his message were authorized by Isaiah’s prophecy: Thunder in the desert! Prepare for God’s arrival! Make the road smooth and straight! John dressed in a camel-hair habit tied at the waist by a leather strap. He lived on a diet of locusts and wild field honey. People poured out of Jerusalem, Judea, and the Jordanian countryside to hear and see him in action. There at the Jordan River those who came to confess their sins were baptized into a changed life. When John realized that a lot of Pharisees and Sadducees were showing up for a baptismal experience because it was becoming the popular thing to do, he exploded: “Brood of snakes! What do you think you’re doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to make any difference? It’s your life that must change, not your skin! And don’t think you can pull rank by claiming Abraham as father. Being a descendant of Abraham is neither here nor there. Descendants of Abraham are a dime a dozen. What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming? Because if it’s deadwood, it goes on the fire. “I’m baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this drama—compared to him I’m a mere stagehand—will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He’s going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He’ll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he’ll put out with the trash to be burned.” Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. John objected, “I’m the one who needs to be baptized, not you !” But Jesus insisted. “Do it. God’s work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism.” So John did it. The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God’s Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.”
Matthew 3:1-17 MSG
My thoughts: I like this translation. I didn't think I would, but it is the message that is important. And I definitely get what "The Message" is saying. I like this wording: Do you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to make any difference? It’s your life that must change, not your skin! A little further it says, The real action comes next: The main character in this drama—compared to him I’m a mere stagehand—will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He’s going to clean house. Now I know the original version says instead he is not fit to remove Christ's sandals. But this drives it home for me. John the Baptist really knew his part as just a vessel used by God. I can see his humble spirit through this wording of a stagehand. It is a passage I have read multiple times, but never really caught that point. Not the main point of the passage, but I do notice that when God uses people, one thing He often requires is a humble spirit. I think it takes a special person like John the Baptist, who truly loves God, to not get a big head in his work. This man baptized Jesus Christ! I don't know how Id react. Im sure he told a lot of people, but not bragging on hisself, but God's work. Definitely something to think about.
But of course the main subject is Baptism. And I love how water on snakeskin doesn't make much of a difference. That is hilarious and true. My full desire to to change from the inside out. I want God to clean house, but I know I have to clean house too. Starts with my thought life. I really struggle with taking my thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. And the more tired I am, the harder it is. And with kids, I am tired all the time. I am grateful that God calls me righteous and a new creation as a His child. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward commitment, which I know Jesus had for sure. He set the example for us to follow. It is only one step in "cleaning house" when it comes to the sanctification process in Christ.
Matthew 3:1-17 MSG
My thoughts: I like this translation. I didn't think I would, but it is the message that is important. And I definitely get what "The Message" is saying. I like this wording: Do you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to make any difference? It’s your life that must change, not your skin! A little further it says, The real action comes next: The main character in this drama—compared to him I’m a mere stagehand—will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He’s going to clean house. Now I know the original version says instead he is not fit to remove Christ's sandals. But this drives it home for me. John the Baptist really knew his part as just a vessel used by God. I can see his humble spirit through this wording of a stagehand. It is a passage I have read multiple times, but never really caught that point. Not the main point of the passage, but I do notice that when God uses people, one thing He often requires is a humble spirit. I think it takes a special person like John the Baptist, who truly loves God, to not get a big head in his work. This man baptized Jesus Christ! I don't know how Id react. Im sure he told a lot of people, but not bragging on hisself, but God's work. Definitely something to think about.
But of course the main subject is Baptism. And I love how water on snakeskin doesn't make much of a difference. That is hilarious and true. My full desire to to change from the inside out. I want God to clean house, but I know I have to clean house too. Starts with my thought life. I really struggle with taking my thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. And the more tired I am, the harder it is. And with kids, I am tired all the time. I am grateful that God calls me righteous and a new creation as a His child. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward commitment, which I know Jesus had for sure. He set the example for us to follow. It is only one step in "cleaning house" when it comes to the sanctification process in Christ.
