"Crossing Over"

On this Palm Sunday, we will be having a water baptism service and continuing our Easter series entitled: “Jesus- the Passover Lamb.” Now in the New Testament, it was John the Baptist who first introduced Jesus as the “Lamb who would take away the sins of the world”. The Bible says that John came baptizing - people would acknowledge their sin and repent, and he would baptize them in water as a sign of being cleansed. It did this in “Bethabara.”

 John 1:28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

 Bethabara means “House of Crossing” or a “Place of Crossing.” I want to highlight the process of “crossing over" from our old life to the new life that is symbolized in water baptism. It involves: Preparation- Presence - Proclamation - Passing Over.

Preparation - Luke 3:2b…. the word of God came to John (the Baptist) and he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance... ‘Prepare the way of the Lord!”

John comes to prepare the way for Jesus, he preaches a message to get ready - Messiah is coming!

Presence –   John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 

John sees Jesus coming and says “Behold the Lamb”- he knows he is in the presence of the Son of God.

Proclamation -   John 1:35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. 36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” 

John the Baptist sees Jesus again on the following day and makes this proclamation:” Behold the Lamb of God”. He says it again, not for his own benefit, but as a proclamation to others.

Passing Over – John 1:38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and see.”

 After Jesus is proclaimed by John the Baptist, two of John’s disciples start to follow Jesus. Something within them is seeking the living God and they mean to find Him! - so they are following Jesus.

These are the four steps in “crossing over” from the old life to the new - from death to life. You must be spiritually Prepared by receiving Christ (repentance of sins) - the Holy Spirit (Presence)has come to live within you, you make a Proclamation of your faith through your testimony; and then you have Passed Over from death to life. 

Join us in person on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. or via livestream by going to https://www.firstbaptistsudbury.com and clicking on livestream for “Crossing Over.”

Blessings,

Kevin