DAY 129 - BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE EXODUS

BUT THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL WALKED ON DRY GROUND THROUGH THE SEA, THE WATERS BEING A WALL TO THEM ON THEIR RIGHT HAND AND ON THEIR LEFT

Exodus 14: 29

Reading: Joshua 3; Matthew 3: 13 ff

No sooner had they left Egypt than they faced an impossible challenge – the Red Sea. The crossing of the Red Sea is a baptism moment for the nation of Israel; it’s a moment of choosing immersion into God’s plans for them; it’s a status and identity change.

They go into the Sea as a collection of slaves with their past chasing them down. They come out on the other side a free people, with their past drowned, and left behind.

This is the first instance of baptism we see in the story of God and His people. We see it again as Joshua prepares the people to enter the Promised Land and they cross the Jordan River on dry ground into their inheritance.

Yet again, we see this when Jesus is baptized by John in preparation for the start of His earthly, public ministry. Jesus was baptised, not because he needed to repent – he had done nothing requiring repenting of - but in obedience to his father he is baptised and at the moment he comes out of the water God the father publicly recognizes his identity as His beloved son whom He is well pleased.

We grow in confidence in our call and identity as we immerse (or baptise) into Jesus, the church, suffering, the Holy Spirit and fire. Take a moment and ask God to reveal to you any areas you are not immersing in. Repent and ask God to help you immerse in those areas.

Prayer

Father show me where I am exhibiting no faith and not immersing.

For the family

Watch one of the scenes of the crossing of the red sea  and explain how God parted the sea for Israel to cross. Talk about how life changed for them on the other side. Talk about how your life changed once you became a Christian and got immersed in your local church.