“Why are you baptizing?”

Commentary

In John 1:19-23, the religious leaders from Jerusalem asked John “Who are you”? In today’s passage, we see them asking another question, “Why are you baptizing?” It is evident that this investigation committee was very concerned about all the people John was baptizing (vv. 24-25). John had already answered this question in verse 23. He was the voice crying in the wilderness, making straight the way of the Lord. John’s ministry was all about preparing the way for Jesus’s ministry. 

Instead of answering their question again, John decided to inform them about how his baptism was different from the baptism of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. John only baptized with water, but very soon someone else would come, and they would baptize with the Spirit. John’s water baptism was only a sign of what Christ would do with the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8). John told them that he was not worthy of serving this other person in even the humblest of tasks, “untying the straps of his sandal” (vv. 26-27). Humility was one of the defining characteristics of John’s life and ministry. “He must increase, but I must decease” (John 3:30). 

Application

Have you been baptized with water, but not with the spirit? Was there a time when you gladly excepted the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit in your life, but now you feel separated from God and dirty once again? Come back to the Father! He has promised to never leave your side. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). Both Salvation and Baptism are one-time events, but Sanctification is an ongoing process. It never hurts to be reminded of all that we have in Christ.