While we sometimes get lost in debates about the mode of baptism and who are the recipients of baptism—whether infants and adults or only those able to articulate the faith—it seems we overlook the backdrop of baptism.
All our debates would be useless if there were no water. But the way the prophets spoke of Jesus’ coming was to use the imagery of water. The redemption of Jacob was like an outpouring of water and Spirit on dry land (Isa.44). The water will provide life to the parched forest and garden (Isa.41). Israel needs to be sprinkled with water when they enter the land after exile and the sprinkling of clean water is directly connected to the work of the Spirit (Ezk. 36). And Isaiah 52 says that the Messiah will sprinkle the nations and shut the mouths of kings.
This is why when John the Baptizer comes, he comes from a dry place—the wilderness—because he symbolizes that Israel needs to be washed clean by Jesus himself, who is the water of life. So, John is the water prophet, the cleansing prophet who comes to teach Israel that unless they turn to the fountain of living waters, they will perish like many of their forefathers.
This morning, Brian comes to the font of baptism because it is through water that cleanses the land and through waters that he cleanses and calls people to himself. Brian confessed the faith of his mother and stepfather, and he eagerly sought me to share his desire to be baptized in the Name of the Father, Son, and Spirit. It is an honor to see his mother and his little brother baptized at Providence and now to add Brian to the Christian faith.
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