Matthew 3:1-6

In those days John the baptizer arrived, preaching in the desert of Judea,

² “Repent, for the kingdom from the sky has approached.”

³ For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of someone crying aloud in the desert: ‘Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight.'”

⁴ Now John wore a robe of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.

⁵ Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him,

⁶ and as they confessed their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan river.

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Baptism

Even before John’s day, baptism was a ritual immersion as a sign of spiritual renewal and dedication to God’s kingdom. John did not invent the ritual, but he did add a new twist to it. For John, the place to begin revival is not among the pagans, or even among the marginalized. It is right here in Judea. He called the elect people of God to get their lives in order, because their Messiah was coming. His kingdom has approached. Before the king arrives, his people had to get the their affairs in order, because the king would not settle for second best. Baptism was a way of saying “I’m in this, 100%.”

Even today, nothing says “I surrender all” like full immersion baptism.

Jesus, take us all for your kingdom. We surrender to your will, 100%.