From Law to Grace: The New Exodus in the Baptism of Christ (04/29/'24) -Statement

From Law to Grace: The New Exodus in the Baptism of Christ (Waters of Deliverance: The Echoes of Exodus in the Baptism of Christ) The history of God’s people is marked profoundly by transitions from bondage to freedom, epitomized through sacred encounters with water. The Israelites, led by Moses, experienced their deliverance from Egyptian slavery as they passed through the Red Sea, an event that signifies their physical and spiritual baptism into the Law given to Moses. This pivotal moment, where waters parted and then closed to signify the end of their bondage and the beginning of a covenantal life under the Law, serves as a foundational archetype in biblical salvation history. Centuries later, this motif of water as a medium of divine transition resurfaces with profound significance at the Jordan River. Here, John the Baptist revives the ancient symbolism of water, not just for purification but as a call to repentance and renewal. His baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins marks a preparatory stage for the coming of the Messiah. Jesus, entering these waters, does not merely participate in a ritual but transforms it. His baptism by John not only fulfills the righteousness required under Mosaic Law but also inaugurates the New Exodus—transitioning from the Law to Grace. As Jesus emerges from the Jordan, the heavens open, and the Spirit descends like a dove, affirming Him as the beloved Son and signaling the advent of a new era. This moment does not just echo God's approval but illustrates the shift from the covenant of Law to the covenant of Grace. In this New Exodus, Jesus embodies the path from the bondage of sin to the liberation of the soul, offering a journey not through a sea but through His life, death, and resurrection. The baptism of Jesus thus marks the beginning of this new journey for humanity—a journey into a kingdom characterized not by the compliance to the Law alone, but by the transformative power of Grace. Through Him, the waters no longer just signify escape from oppression, but entrance into eternal life. This transition redefines the very concept of deliverance, emphasizing not merely survival through water but rebirth through the Spirit. Pastor Steven G. Lee (April 29, 2024)