September 8, 2013: Wind and Water – Michael Hidalgo

Jesus promised his disciples they would be baptized in the Spirit – comparing it directly to John’s baptism with water. John’s baptism was a tradition of inauguration. For those who participated in John’s baptism, it was a symbol of their repentance and readiness for the Kingdom of God.

Jesus evokes this language to speak of what will happen to his disciples, and to all people. We will be immersed in the Spirit so that we can participate together with all believers in the new covenant that God has made with humanity. For John, it was a symbol of what was to come. Jesus speaks of the new reality that will come from the Spirit of the Living God.