Confession, Repentance, and John’s Baptism | Mark 1:4–5
“John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness
and proclaiming
a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem
were going out to him
and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan,
confessing their sins.”
Like any good Baptist, John came preaching and
baptizing. And what a humbling response we
see from God’s people! Typically,
Gentiles wishing to become Jews would be dipped in the ritualistic waters to
symbolize the washing of their sins and immersion into the covenant
community. Those under the Mosaic
Covenant who had become unclean would also be baptized—clothes and all (Lv
17:15; 22:4–6; Nm 19:11–12). So, for all
who came to John and were baptized were confessing and repenting of sin in a
visible and humiliating display.
Contrast this to Matthew 3, where we read of “many of the
Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism (v. 7). John calls them to repent (vv. 7–8), warning
them not to presume their status with God based solely upon their lineage (vv.
9–10). Unfortunately, not everyone who
came to John humbled themselves and repented at his message.
How would you
respond? God provided John, whose name
means, “The Lord is gracious,” at the right time, ensuring that the people
would be ready for the forgiveness found in Christ. He wanted the people to experience true
repentance, where they changed their minds concerning sin, agreeing with Him
that it is sin and wrong and desiring to turn from sin to Himself. He didn’t want them merely feeling sorry about
sinning or about the consequences of sin; God wanted them to have godly sorrow
that leads unto salvation (2 Cor 7:9–12).
He had them baptized as their public confession of their contrition, sinfulness,
and desire to change, foreshadowing the fact that God’s people are now cleansed
“by the washing of water with the word” (Eph 5:26).
Only Christ can
forgive your sins. John and his
baptism can’t forgive or wash away sins—only Christ can. Like the people we read about in Scripture,
your heart is unclean with sin. Repent
of your sins, turning to and trusting in Christ Who bore your shame on the
cross, was buried, and raised again on the third day.
