Spirit of Sonship

Today’s Gospel Text:  After this Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea; there he remained with them and baptized. 23 John also was baptizing at Ae'non near Salim, because there was much water there; and people came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been put in prison.

25 Now a discussion arose between John's disciples and a Jew over purifying. 26 And they came to John, and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you bore witness, here he is, baptizing, and all are going to him." 27 John answered, "No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him. 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice; therefore this joy of mine is now full. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease."                                                                         John 3:22-30

Reflection: John’s Gospel is the only gospel that reveals to us that Jesus did baptize and that it seemed that John’s disciples were not very pleased with this action of Jesus.

Scripture tells us that there were two types of baptism, in keeping with the two personalities, in the early days of the church; the baptism of John  in through the waters and leading to repentance and the baptism in the Holy Spirit. (Acts 19:3)

What baptism then did Jesus baptize with in this passage? From evidence it seems that Jesus baptized them with the baptism of John.

What’s the difference between the two baptisms?

John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance, where a different kind of grace was at work but the same God working through it. It was a baptism which prepared the hearts and mind of people to receive the very life of God which would be accomplished through the glorification of Jesus on the cross.

On the other hand we have the Baptism of the Holy Spirit which is brought about with repentance and belief in the promise of the great gift, which is the Holy Spirit.

The outpouring of this gift was made possible because of the cross of Christ. It was not just that blood and water that poured from his side but rather the cleansing waters of baptism and the redemption accomplished by his blood which made it possible for us to be accepted through faith as God’s children.

When God accepts us he does it by pouring his very life in us: the promised Holy Spirit, also called the Spirit of sonship.

In the creation of man it was a mere clay that receives the breath of life and man becomes a living soul (Gen. 2:7) but in the new order it was the living soul, now dead by sin, (Rm. 6:23; Col. 2:13) which receives the very life of God; a spirit of sonship.(Rm. 8:15)

Prayer: Lord, may I always live the life of the Spirit which I have first received in baptism.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us