The Archives Devotional Magazine June 2015 | Page 8

Read the scripture
First pray, then read. This week's
reading is Matthew 1-4.

Think about the text
What is the passage about? What
does it tell me about God the Father,
Jesus, the Holy Spirit? What does it
teach about life? Is there a
command? Example? Promise?
Warning? Error to avoid? What is the
main thing I can learn?

DAY 6
“I baptize you with water to show that you have repented, but the one who will come after
me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. He is much greater than I am; and I am
not good enough even to carry his sandals. He has his winnowing shovel with him to
thresh out all the grain. He will gather his wheat into his barn, but he will burn the chaff in
a fire that never goes out.”
At that time Jesus arrived from Galilee and came to John at the Jordan to be baptized
by him. But John tried to make him change his mind. “I ought to be baptized by you,”
John said, “and yet you have come to me!”
But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so for now. For in this way we shall do all that God
requires.” So John agreed.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water. Then heaven was
opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and lighting on
him. Then a voice said from heaven, “This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased.”

“The Baptism of Christ” by
Joachim Patinir, 1515

Apply it to life
Is there a call to action? A duty to
fulfill? A message to tell someone?
Try applying this passage to your life.
Maybe it’s an action, prayer, or a
personal change.

“BAPTISM IS FAITH
IN ACTION.”
―WATCHMAN NEE