Scripture
15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.
Reflection
In the time of Jesus Christ, there were many who had the wrong perspective of salvation. They thought salvation was a solution to their current unsatisfactory reality. John the Baptist, however, presents a new concept of salvation to the people through the idea of “Baptism by Spirit and Fire.” In the Bible, this dual notion includes both concepts of “purification (Judgement)” and “recovering (Restoration).”
God’s working, especially from an eschatological (end times) view, is not just a judgment were all are destroyed, nor is it an unconditional recovery where everything ends up well. When put together both Judgement and Restoration are complementary, and renders a ‘complete’ salvation which has a real meaning. Jesus began this complete salvation and is still doing it and will certainly complete it (Woowon).
Thoughts for the day
- How do you view the end times and does it have any bearing on how you view salvation?
- When someone ask you what salvation means, how would you explain it to them?
- How do you see Jesus’ complete salvation at work in your life?
- Who do you feel need to hear this message
Prayer
Ask God to deliver you from your troubles to protect you from the evil one and deliver you from temptation.
