Baptism and Confession Matthew 3:6

Matthew shared how Joseph after being in Egypt with Mary and Jesus, “came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. Matthew continued, “In those days came John the Baptist, and saying, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leather girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan,”, and in chapter three and verse six of his book, Matthew shared how people, “were baptized him in Jordan” where we read:

And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

The verse reads, “And were baptized of him in Jordan, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and were baptized” which means “the people were immersed, submerged and washed” “of him” or “by John the Baptist” “in Jordan” or “ which means the descender and is the one river of Palestine which has its course of little more than 200 miles (300 km) from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the head of the Dead Sea.” Matthew shared how the people who were coming to John the Baptist were being “baptized” by him in the Jordan river.

The verse goes on to say, “... confessing their sins.” Matthew continued with the words, “confessing” which means “professing, acknowledging openly and joyfully” “their sins” or “the people's errors, mistakes, wrongs, offenses and violations of the divine law in thought and act”. Matthew shared how the people were not only being “baptized” by John the Baptist, but they were also “confessing” their violations to God's law. This was an awesome time of repentance by these who were coming to John the Baptist, and he was only the “fore-runner” to Jesus Christ. God desires to have a relationship with every person, and if they yield their lives to Him by “confessing their sins and being baptized” (See Acts 2:38), they shall be “saved” and live with God forever and ever.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we discover the impact John the Baptist had upon the people who surrounded him. They came from all around, and they were being convicted of their sins, confessed them and were “immersed” in water to show an outward expression of their repentance. God desires to bring all people into a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and when they are convicted of sins, repent of them and yield their lives to Him, they are promised “everlasting life”.

Next time Matthew shares John saw, “many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism” so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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