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Mikveh
Repent for the Kingdom for God is here!
As we hiked out into the desert on that hot September day, we did not know where we were going. We were like the Israelites wandering but for us it had only been 40 minutes not 40 years. As we continued to walk, we heard the rush of the water. It was a violent yet soothing sound in the hot desert.
When we arrived at the water's edge, our Rabbi, RVL stepped in. He wait for everyone to gather at the edge of the water and began proclaiming the Kingdom.
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,"The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.'"Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
He stood as he declared that God's Kingdom is coming and has even come already. We were called to repentence and to walk in Jesus' footsteps. I listened intently and my heart was provoked. I knew that I needed to repent and dedicate my life to serving God.
Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him.
RVL continued to proclaim God's Kingdom and call us to repentance. He was walking in the way of John the Immerser. He was preparing the way of the Lord.
"I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
I wanted to repent. I needed to repent. I repented to God for not dedicating all I am to living for God. As I entered that water and moved towards the Rabbi, I knew that I had repented and this immersion in the water would be symbolic of the dedication of my head, my heart, my hands and my feet to God.
"Rabbi, I come seeking a baptism of repentance. I have not been living for God with all that I am."
"Brian, do you love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might?"
"Yes!"
"Do you repent and turn in faith to walk in the way of Jesus, your Messiah?"
"Yes, I will walk in the footsteps of Jesus and live passionately for him!"
RVL prayed for me and asked God to strengthen me as I walked in Jesus' footsteps.
These are the first footsteps I took after Mikveh. I walked out of the river and onto dry land. For the rest of the day, my feet were wet and reminded me of this repentance. I was reminded by my wet feet that I had dedicated my life to God to live for him with all my heart, with all my soul and with all my might!
I think I still hear that water sloshing around in my shoes... I don't want to ever forget what those wet feet feel like.
(Excerpts from Matthew 3 - ESV)
