Begin with 2 minutes of stillness and silence before God.

Okay, can we talk about John the Baptist for a second?

If JB was around today (Can I call him that? JB?), he would without a doubt be the most followed sensation on social media. I mean, the man had it ALL:

• His garment of camel’s hair and his leather belt would have surely been the unexpected trend of the season.
  
• His diet of locusts and wild honey would have kickstarted the latest health craze.
  
• And to top it all off, he was giving people 1.7-second baths in the Jordan River.
  
• Yeah, JB wasn’t your average prophet.

Yet, beneath all the unconventional exterior was a message that would pave the way for the greatest story ever told.

Matthew 3 throws us quickly into the deep end of repentance and redemption. John the Baptist’s call to repentance wasn’t a gentle nudge but a clarion call to a nation that was drowning in religious complacency. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near,” he declared (a statement that was as bold as his wardrobe choice, I might add). This wasn’t just about behavior modification or making your life look good on the outside; it was a call to turn your life completely around because something was on the way.

No. Someone was on the way.

Enter Jesus, who stepped into the Jordan River not because He needed cleansing, but to make a statement that He had come to identify with us who are broken and to “fulfill all righteousness.” It’s a moment that bends Heaven itself, as the thunderous voice of God breaks through, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well-pleased.”

This baptism scene in Matthew 3 is a vivid reminder that Jesus stands in the gap for us. I love what Tim Keller said, “The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” Jesus’ baptism underscores this truth, marking the beginning of His mission to bridge our gap to God.

So, what do John the Baptist’s wanderings and Jesus’ baptism mean for us today? Matthew 3 is a reminder that transformation often begins in the wilderness of our lives, in the uncomfortable places where we confront our brokenness and turn from our sins. It’s where we’re invited to lay down our old selves and step into a new identity, one that is found in Christ alone.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Reflect on your own “wilderness” experiences. How have they shaped your understanding of repentance and following Jesus?
  
• How do Jesus’ baptism and God’s declaration of love speak into your life today?
  
• What steps can you take to live out a life marked by repentance and the pursuit of righteousness?
  
• Prayer: Father, thank You for sending John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus, reminding us of the power of repentance and transformation. Thank You for Your Son, who stepped into our world and the waters of baptism, showing us the way to true life. Help me to embrace the wilderness seasons, knowing they’re often the very places where You want to grow closer to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.