Wrapped up in Christ

Wrapped up in Christ

John the Baptist: “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Luke 3:16

How much thought do you give to your wardrobe each day? If you are like my 20 year old daughter, you choose what you wear carefully, with an eye toward good color coordination and fashion. Or, you may have a job that requires some protective wear such as gloves or a hardhat. Maybe you are an executive and wear a suit and tie to the office. Or, along with me, you might say you have no fashion at all. You just wear what is clean; or at least a shirt and pants that have only been worn once.

For many, our clothing says a great deal about who we are. We may dress to attract the attention of others. We may try to show how well-off we are, wearing expensive hand-tailored suits. Perhaps we want to make it clear how independent we are, wearing colors that clash, or choosing the most frayed and holey items in our wardrobe.

John the Baptist said that there was Someone coming, Someone greater than he was. “I’m not even worthy to tie His shoes,” John proclaimed. John had quite a following and had become a local celebrity. People were flocking to hear him preach and throngs were being baptized. He could have basked in all the glory, but he was on a mission for God, not a passion for fame.

He was called to prepare people’s hearts for the Coming Messiah. His mission was to call people to stop saying, “Hey, we go to the best church in town, we’re ok with God.” Or, to stop thinking everything was good between them and God because they had been baptized once, gone to youth group, taught a Sunday School class or served on the board.

No, John’s message was “get it right, and stop pretending!” God knows already, right? “Bear fruit worthy of repentance”, he preached. In other words, prove by the way your act that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. He told people with two coats to give one away, and those with extra food to stop hoarding it. He told tax collectors to only collect the right amount, and police officers to refrain from intimidating people.

All the “old clothes” had to go! It was time for a fashion change, and God meant for every old garment to be burned up so there would be no temptation to put the old clothing back on. His Son, Jesus Christ, was coming to “baptize” them with the Holy Spirit. That means, instead of wearing their weak and wicked selves, they now were going to be wrapped up with God’s own Holy Spirit!

Do you get the picture? There is no better Designer than God Himself. As you throw away your old ways and ask God to clothe you with Jesus instead, you are brand new! And people can see the change, just like when I threw away my very last pair of wide navy bell bottoms! Jesus wants to baptize you personally with His Holy Spirit.

Don’t think, “Oh, I’ve done that; I know all about this Holy Spirit stuff.” Really? John the Baptist sure didn’t think that way. He was first in line to allow Jesus to baptize him with water. Jesus makes everything brand new. It is time to let Him have His way. If you are baptized in the Holy Spirit people are going to notice. You aren’t shy about talking about Jesus. How could you be shy…you’re wearing His wardrobe! You will know that He is with you everywhere. Your words will change; your view of life will change. You will start loving your enemies and stop pretending all is well.

Let the “fire” burn away the last bits of your old clothing. Maybe you have one t-shirt of anger still left in the closet. Perhaps you have one pair of lazy shoes that keep you from succeeding. Maybe you have one pair of socks that no one sees. The sort you pull your pants legs down to cover, the secret disobedience you haven’t let Jesus change. Go ahead; throw them in the burn-pile today!

There is nothing like living all wrapped up in Jesus. Be filled with His Spirit, and start a renewed fashion trend. Today, put this newsletter down, find a quiet place, and tell Jesus, “Please, baptize me in Your Holy Spirit.”