January 12
321 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form liker is dying (drowning ourselves completely in the waters of baptism)
Prayer is receiving (submitting whole-heartedly to the guidance of the Holy Spirit)
Prayer is listening (listening quietly to the Voice of God)
Baptism & Prayer
Jesus was baptized like everyone else. When Jesus was baptized He was identifying with us. When we are baptized we are identifying with Him.
Luke immediately says “and as He was praying . . .” it’s as if there is no distinction between the actions. Did He pray before He was baptized, while He was baptized, after He was baptized. Presumably it was as He came up out of the water, but we are not told this. I believe this is no accident. Here Luke gives us a hint that there is a connection between the Baptism and the Prayer of Jesus.
So, What is it about Baptism that is connected to the Prayer of Jesus? To understand the connection we must first understand baptism.
I think the clearest definition of baptism is in the writings of Paul.
Romans 6 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. . . . .
SO, BAPTISM IS IDENTIFICATION WITH THE DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS.
This is why we baptize with total immersion-not because that method is somehow religiously or magically more efficacious-there is nothing magical about baptism-but because the symbol should somehow match the symbolized. When someone dies you don’t sprinkle their body-you bury them.
And for this same reason we do not baptize young children or babies, though much of the Church still does. How can a baby identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus?
And, here, we see, perhaps, how Baptism and Prayer may be united for Jesus. Baptism prefigures Jesus’ death, perhaps something of our nature must die before we really pray (I’ve heard theologians argue that the baptism of John was not the same as the baptism of Jesus-only theologians argue about such things-but if John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance, it is, still, an indication of death to old works of the old man. The symbol is the same).
So, Prayer is dying.
A First Baptism-Noah-the death of all around Noah & his family, so that Noah’s family could become the source of life for all humanity. The worlds was baptized so that God could preserve life and start again.
A Second Baptism-Abraham & Isaac-God said to Abram, “take now your son, your only son, whom you love, and offer him on a mountain I will show you”. First mention of the words “only begotten son” and love and worship-(Genesis 22:2,5). The first mention of love in Matthew, Mark and Luke is at the baptism of Jesus, as the Father declares His love for the Son.
A Third Baptism-the Children of Israel
For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
Clearly, BAPTISM DOES NOT SAVE YOU.
6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.
11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Another Baptism-Jonah Jesus said Jonah’s experience prefigured His death and resurrection, much as baptism did- “as Jonah was three days and nights in the belly of the fish, so shall the Son of Man be three days and nights in the heart of the earth”. what did Jonah do in the belly of the big fish? He prayed.
Illustration The Telephone repairman. Three preachers sat discussing the best positions for prayer while a telephone repairman worked nearby. "Kneeling is definitely best," claimed one. "No," another contended. "I get the best results standing with my hands outstretched to Heaven." "You're both wrong," the third insisted. "The most effective prayer position is lying prostrate, face down on the floor."
The repairman could contain himself no longer. "Hey, fellas, " he interrupted, "the best prayin' I ever did was hangin' upside down from a telephone pole."
Maybe Jonah was moved to prayer only by the baptism of being thrown into the sea and swallowed by a great big fish. This was the position in which he did his best praying. We, also, must experience the baptism of losing ourselves that we might gain God.
So, baptism is not some magical get-out-of-hell pass. It is identification with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. If we want to have an effective prayer life it begins with a baptism of the heart-a laying down of all that is precious to us, a sacrifice of ourselves and our lives so that Jesus can take us and begin where we leave off, in order to give us a new life based on His purposes for us.
Again, Baptism does not save us.
A survey in England reveals that although 26 million persons are baptized Anglicans, only 2,887, 671 are registered on church membership rolls.
In Latin America, long considered a Christian stronghold, 88 percent of the population are baptized Roman Catholics, yet Catholic authorities report that the “vast majority” seldom see the inside of a church.
It is not baptism that saves you, but the attitude of the heart-submitting yourself to the death of our flesh, the death of our sins, the death of our mixed desires & will, the death to our self, even as Jesus, for our sake, died that we might live. And this is the beginning of true prayer.
Jesus began his ministry on earth with prayer and ended it in prayer. He prayed in the garden “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, but if not, not my will but Thine be done”. Even on the cross, Jesus prayed “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”. In all His prayer He died to Himself and lived for us and His Father’s will.
One evening Maskepetoon was deeply moved by the missionary’s address on our Lord’s dying prayer, “Father, forgive them.” The next day a band of Indians was approaching, in which was the man who had murdered Maskepetoon’s only son. His son, sent into a secluded valley, had never returned; and the son’s companion said that he had fallen over a precipice, though in fact he had murdered him. Unknown to the murderer, the tragedy had been witnessed by some Indians who later rep rted it to the bereaved chief.
When the two bands were within a few hundred yards of each other, the eagle eye of the old chief detected the murderer, and, drawing his tomahawk from his belt, he rode up till he was face to face with the man who had murdered his son.
Maskepetoon, with a voice tremulous with suppressed feeling, yet with an admirable command over himself looking the man full in the eyes said: “You deserve to die. I sent him with you, his trusted companion. You betrayed my trust and cruelly killed my only son! You have done me and my tribe the greatest injury that is possible. You deserve to die; but for what I heard from the missionary at the camp fire last night, I would already have buried this tomahawk in your brains! The missionary told us that, if we expected the Great Spirit to forgive, we must forgive the greatest wrong.
“You have been my worst enemy, and deserve to die!” With deep emotion he continued, “As I hope the Great Spirit will forgive me, I forgive you.” Then, hastily pulling his war bonnet over his face, Maskepetoon bowed down over his horse’s neck and gave way to an agony of tears.
For years Maskepetoon lived a devoted Christian life. He preached to others. And after influencing many of his own tribe to turn from killing their enemies, the Blackfeet, he gave them no other weapon but the “Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”
But a bloodthirsty chief of that vindictive tribe, remembering some of their fierce conflicts of other days, and, perhaps, having lost by Maskepetoon’s own prowess some of his relatives in those conflicts, seized his gun, and, in defiance of all rules of humanity, coolly shot down the converted chieftain.
Who can say that forgiveness is not a costly thing? Maskepetoon suffered a broken heart to forgive the murderer of his son. Then it cost him his life to forgive his enemies, to go to them unarmed and preach to them forgiveness of sin.
—Prairie Overcomer
Prayer is dying (drowning completely our selves in the waters of baptism)
Prayer is receiving (submitting whole-heartedly to the guidance of the Holy Spirit)
PRAYER IS RECEIVING (the Holy Spirit)
The descent of the Holy Spirit in bodily form like a dove
The first time we see the Holy Spirit is at creation-
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Notice the imagery of the Spirit hovering, like a bird.
The first time we see the dove in the Bible is Genesis 8-once again at the flood. Noah sent out a dove to see if there were any dry land. The dove returned with an olive branch-indicating there were some trees out there somewhere. He sent out a crow, and the crow did not return, but crows can feed on dead carcasses floating on the water. It was not till the dove did not return that Noah knew there was new life on the planet. The dove was the one whether by returning with an olive branch or by finding a home elsewhere, bringing the sign of life. It’s like that with us. Without spirit there is no life (Genesis 2:7).
I believe it is no accident the Spirit is described as descending “like a dove”. The Spirit is given to us, just as the Spirit was given to Jesus, as we humble ourselves before the Lord, die to ourselves, and ask. Jesus said, ask, seek, knock . . . He was speaking of requesting the Holy Spirit. This is the second aspect of true prayer-true prayer is anointed with the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Paul said
. . . the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. Romans 8:26-27
True prayer, following Jesus example, is guided by the Spirit. We don’t know how to pray. But the Spirit knows every need. We don’t know God’s will, but the Spirit of God does. The Spirit directs our prayers so that they match with God’s purposes.
So
Prayer is dying (drowning completely our selves in the waters of baptism)
Prayer is receiving (submitting whole-heartedly to the guidance of the Holy Spirit)
Prayer is listening (listening quietly to the Voice of God)
PRAYER IS LISTENING
As Jesus was praying, who was speaking? We have none of the words of Jesus, but have the voice of God the Father. How often in our prayers do we hear God’s voice? How can we hear God’s voice when our own voices are constantly humming, speaking, singing, making constant noise? Some people seem to think God will hear them by the continual noise. You will hear from God only when you are silent long enough to listen.
A little boy was kneeling beside his bed with his mother and grandmother and softly saying his prayers, "Dear God, please bless Mummy and Daddy and all the family and please give me a good night's sleep." Suddenly he looked up and shouted, "And don't forget to give me a bicycle for my birthday!!" "There is no need to shout like that," said his mother. "God isn't deaf." "No," said the little boy, "but Grandma is."
Years ago when I was assisting at a church a young boy, about nine years old, was sitting in on the adult Bible study. I was talking about how through prayer, God speaks to us, and changes us from the inside out. There was one lady named Lilly [I’ve changed the name] in the church who was very vocal about her prayers. She would blurt out “Praise the Lord” quite regularly. Yet she was also one of the most unpleasant people you’ll ever meet. After the Bible study the boy cornered me and said, “pastor, why is it Sister Lilly is always praying, but never changes?” Maybe Sister Lilly was talking a bit too much and listening a bit too little.
Psalm 131, a psalm of David
1 My heart is not proud, LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. 2 But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.
This king, David, one of the wealthiest men of his age, powerful, famous, popular; says he is not impressed with all of his accomplishments, but is happy with his soul’s state of silence. Have you ever sat in a silent room, away from the noises of the city, away from family and friends, really alone, away from the i-pod, mp3 player, video game, internet connection and tv, and tried to be silent? In our day silence is a rare and precious possession few of us attain. There are Mercedes and BMWs around every corner, but where can we find a man or woman of quiet character. We can see silver and gold all around us, but where can we find a serene soul? Quiet, content, open hearts are difficult to find, perhaps, because they are so difficult to nurture. Yet it is only in the silence of our inner solitude that we can expect to hear the voice of God.
And it seems to me it is not just the noisy society we live in which conspires against us having any quiet time before the Lord. Even our religious traditions make serenity difficult. Some repeat the same prayers over and over, thinking they’ll be heard for their many words. Others repeat sounds or mantras-as if their minds will somehow unite with the Divine through the use of such repetition-we stuff our ears with the cotton of religious repetition. God doesn’t get the chance to speak. We are doing all of the talking.
If we want to hear from God we have to be willing to listen.
If we want to have earth-changing, powerful prayer, we must learn to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, For Jesus
Prayer is dying (drowning completely our selves in the waters of baptism)
Prayer is receiving (submitting whole-heartedly to the guidance of the Holy Spirit)
Prayer is listening (listening quietly to the Voice of God)
