Preparing the Way
1. And in those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2. And saying, “Repent ye; for the kingdom of the heavens is near.”
3. For this is he that was declared by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of him that cries in the wilderness, ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.’”
4. And the same John had his clothing of camel’s hair, and a leather belt about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the countryside of the Jordan,
6. And were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
7. And seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming upon his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers, who has shown you to flee from the anger to come?
8. Therefore make fruits worthy of repentance;
9. And think it not right to say within yourselves, ‘We have Abraham [for our] father,’ for I say to you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
10. And already also the axe is laid to the root of the trees; therefore every tree which makes not good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.
11. I indeed baptize you with water to repentance; but He that comes after me is stronger than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry; He shall baptize you with [the] Holy Spirit and with fire,
12. Whose fan [is] in His hand; and He will purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the barn, and will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Growing up in Nazareth of Galilee, as we have seen, represents a state of receptivity to basic truth. It is that place in each of us which is eager to receive the truth when it hears it. It represents our earliest states of receptivity when we are learning to love the Lord and love the neighbor.
Seventy miles to the south of Galilee was the region of Judea, the land of the entrenched religious establishment. At the heart of Judea was Jerusalem with its temple. For this reason, Jerusalem should have been a place of spiritual instruction and worship. Instead, it had become a place of religious and political corruption. As such, it represents a state in each of us where selfish desires and false ideas have taken root. These must first be uprooted before spiritual progress can begin.
The uprooting of these self-serving behaviors and false reasonings is now represented by the coming of John the Baptist, the central figure of this new episode. This is the first mention of John the Baptist in the gospel narrative. His first words are straightforward and to the point. He says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (3:2).
John the Baptist is described as the one who had been prophesied by Isaiah in the Hebrew scriptures. According to Isaiah, John would be a prophet of the coming kingdom. He would be “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” saying, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight” (3:3; see also Isaiah 40:3).
Clothed in a rough garment of camel’s hair and wearing a leather belt, John the Baptist lives in the wilderness, preaches repentance, and maintains a simple, austere diet of locusts and wild honey (see 3:4). The directness of his message, the roughness of the camel’s hair, the toughness of the leather belt, and his simple, austere diet suggest the rough, external nature of John’s teaching. It is for this reason that throughout the gospel narratives, John the Baptist represents the straightforward teachings of the literal sense of the Word. 1
The focus of the narrative has now shifted not only from Jesus to John the Baptist, but also from Nazareth to Judea. This is the land of the political authorities and religious leaders. Even though Judea included the thriving metropolis of Jerusalem, it is described as a wilderness. As it is written, “In those days, John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea” (3:1). This accurately describes the state of religion and politics in the land of Judea at that time—a spiritual wilderness. 2
In order to have an accurate idea of what is being represented spiritually, we need to understand what the biblical writers meant by the term “wilderness.” It does not refer to a place of unspoiled growth with fertile fields and abundant wildlife. On the contrary, the biblical writers used the term “wilderness” to describe a barren place where nothing useful is produced.
While Judea may have been a flourishing and thriving metropolis, it is nevertheless called a “wilderness” because truth was being distorted, and spiritual values could not take root. In terms of authentic spirituality, it was more like a barren desert than a lush forest. Religious leaders ruled with an iron hand, teaching people the traditions of men rather than the commandments of God.
While the religious leaders may have thought that they were teaching people the way to heaven, they were greatly mistaken. That’s why John the Baptist’s message is so alarming to the religious establishment: “Repent,” he says, “for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (3:2).
But what is repentance?
The term usually suggests feeling sorry for what we have done. It is related to words like “penitent,” (people who are sorry for their actions), “penance” (atoning for sins), and “penitentiary” (a place where people are sent to reflect on their transgressions).
While these concepts are certainly a part of repentance, it includes much more. Not only does it involve recognizing, acknowledging and feeling guilty for our sins, but it also involves prayer to God, and the resolve to begin a new life in which sinful thoughts and behaviors are put away. To put away sinful thoughts and behaviors is to reject any thought or behavior that is opposed to the Ten Commandments. This is what prepares the way for the Lord. 3
John the Baptist, then, represents the basic teachings of the Word. Those who heed his warning will be baptized, that is, they will wash themselves by means of the truths of the letter of the Word. This is called a baptism by water, because water represents divine truth—especially the clear, refreshing, life-giving truths of the literal sense. 4
At the same time, the letter of sacred scripture is also filled with spirit. Therefore, John says, “I indeed baptize you with water unto 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” (3:11).
Spiritually understood, John’s baptism, is an introduction to the most basic truths of scripture. This is called a “baptism of water.” But when we strive to live according to these truths from understanding, not just from obedience, we undergo a baptism of the Holy Spirit. Finally, when we strive to live according to these truths from love, believing that the power to do so comes from God alone, we undergo a baptism of fire. It is the fire of God’s love blazing in us. 5
When this fire arises in us, we no longer live according to the truth because of mere obedience; nor do we live according to the truth because we see and understand that it is true; rather, we live according to the truth because we love living according to the truth. This is the baptism of fire.
Love to the Lord is a fire that gives life. But when self-love and love of possessing the things of the world supplants a holy love to the Lord, a different kind of fire sets in—an “unquenchable fire” which leads to spiritual death. In sacred scripture this is described as the separation of the useful wheat from the useless chaff, followed by the burning of that chaff in a flame that never goes out.
The fire which never goes out is the unquenchable flame of self-love, a selfish, ego-driven love that exalts self over the neighbor and even over God. Therefore, John concludes his diatribe against the religious leaders with the words, “He will gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (3:12). 6
A practical application
When John the Baptist sees the religious leaders coming to view the baptisms that are taking place, John calls them “a brood of vipers” and warns them that “the ax has been laid to the root.” This refers to the power of sacred scripture to uproot the false teachings that were being promulgated by the religious leaders. Furthermore, John tells them they cannot just rely on their lineage, being sons of Abraham, but that they must “bear fruits worthy of repentance” (see 3:7-10). As a practical application, then, remember that genuine repentance is more than feeling bad, asking for forgiveness, or saying you are sorry. You must also lay the ax to the root. This means that you must also pray to the Lord for help, change your ways, and begin a new life in accordance with the commandments.
Why Jesus Needed to be Baptized by John
13. Then comes Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
14. But John forbade Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by Thee, and comest Thou to me?”
15. And Jesus answering said to him, “Let [it] now [be so]; for thus it is becoming to us to fulfill all justice.” Then he let Him.
In the literal narrative, Jesus now approaches John. This is a picture of the spiritual sense of the Word, represented by Jesus, approaching the literal sense of the Word, represented by John the Baptist. Although Jesus wants John to baptize Him, John is reluctant to do so. “I have need to be baptized by You,” says John to Jesus, “and You are coming to me?” (3:14). John has good reason to be hesitant. He knows that Jesus lives according to a higher degree of spirituality than anything that John can confer upon Him through baptism. So, why would Jesus need to be baptized by John? After all, Jesus already contains the divinity that governs the universe and provides all things.
But this inner divinity is still clothed in fallible humanity—the heredity nature that Jesus took on through His birth into the world. If humanity had remained in its original pristine state, there would be no need for John the Baptist, or the written Word, or even the Lord’s physical advent. Humanity would have known intuitively and directly the inmost truths of heaven, and would have lived according to them. People would have acknowledged God’s presence and leading at all times, fully believing that life is from God alone and not from themselves.
Over the course of many years, however, and through many generations, people came to believe that life originated with themselves rather than being a gift of God. This is represented by Adam’s eating from “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” As people gradually turned away from God, believing the appearance that life is from themselves, they fell away from their original state of spontaneous love for God and for the neighbor. In theological terms this is referred to as “the fall of man” and “Adam’s sin.” 7
In accommodation to this fallen state of humanity, and as a means of leading us back to our original awareness of God as the source of our life, it was provided that a written Word be given—the Word of God—to help lift humanity from its fallen condition. In this way, through the acquisition of truth which could be applied to life, humanity would have the chance to regain its original integrity.
This would take place first through learning the literal truths of sacred scripture. This is meant by the baptism of water provided by John the Baptist. Later, through learning and living according to the spiritual truths of sacred scripture, people would develop a new understanding and receive a new will. This is what it means to be baptized by the Holy Spirit and by fire.
In spite of the provision of a written Word, however, humanity continued to fall away from its original state. And as humanity continued to decline, it no longer read, studied, or understood the scriptures. Those who did read them—the religious leaders—began to twist and pervert the Word so as to serve their own ends. As a result, God could no longer reach humanity directly, as He had done in the beginning, or even indirectly through the Word. He had to come in person, clothed in finite humanity.
Like each of us, Jesus had to be born, to learn, to be baptized, and thus to enter upon His spiritual path according to order. Even though Jesus was God Incarnate, His life on earth would be a gradual process of casting off every human infirmity and fallibility that had been passed down through successive generations—that is, everything that pertains to the corrupt loves of self and the world. Over time, and through successive victories in temptation, Jesus would gradually glorify His humanity and become more fully divine. Similarly, through victories in temptations, we gradually shed our inhumanity and become more fully human.
For each of us, spiritual life begins by learning truth from the literal sense of the Word. In Jesus’ case, this is represented by the learning that took place in His early years in Egypt, and later in Nazareth of Galilee. Now Jesus has come to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. In this way, Jesus demonstrates the necessity of baptism. Even as the Jordan River was long considered to be the entryway to the Promised Land, instruction in the literal truths of the Word is the entryway to spiritual life. Therefore, Jesus, who has come to show the way, says to John, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting to fulfill all righteousness” (3:15). 8
Each of us must go through a similar process, beginning with learning the simple truths of the literal sense of the Word, and then applying them to our lives. This begins with baptism which expresses a willingness to embrace Christianity. 9
A practical application
The first words of Jesus in any of the gospels are “Permit it to be so now,” and His first act is to be baptized. These first words and first action contain a great lesson. When we express a desire to embrace Christianity, our inauguration begins by learning the literal truths of the Word. In the language of sacred scripture, this is what it means to pass through the Jordan River on our way to the Promised Land. As a practical application, then, consider the sacrament of baptism for you or for your children. Although no one is saved by baptism, it can serve as a reminder that you desire to enter more deeply into the truths of Christianity, and want to be regenerated. This powerful reminder will serve you well in the days to come. It will also connect you with unseen heavenly influences. As Jesus says, “Permit it to be so now, for it is fitting to fulfill all righteousness.”
The Heavens are Opened
16. And Jesus, being baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and he saw the spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon Him;
17. And behold, a voice out of the heavens saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
As we begin to learn, study and apply the simple truths of the letter of the Word to our lives, something wonderful happens. We read, “Then, Jesus, when He had been baptized, came up immediately from the water; and behold the heavens were opened to Him” (3:16).
The opening of the heavens refers to the opening of the inner meaning of the Word, the understanding of the spiritual sense which is contained within the literal words. Normally, this takes a considerable amount of time as new insights come to us through long years of study and application. But for Jesus, whose soul is Divine, this happens immediately. We read, “And he [John] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him [Jesus]. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’” (3:16-17). 10
Jesus being baptized by John represents the coming together of the spiritual sense of the Word, represented by Jesus, and the literal sense of the Word, represented by John the Baptist. The result is that the heavens are opened. The same is true when the externals of our life are in agreement with the spiritual principles we have come to understand and believe. When our spiritual understanding becomes one with the external actions of our life, we experience the kingdom of God. The spirit of God comes upon us and “the heavens are opened.”
The nature of spiritual progress
This is how all spiritual progress takes place. It is similar to the process that Jesus goes through, but not as rapid. And while it is true that we have Jesus’ divine aid every step of the way, there are still obstacles to overcome and problems to deal with. Truths from the literal sense of the Word do indeed initiate the process for us, but we must strive to put them to use. Inevitably, we will meet opposition because there are parts of ourselves that resist living in accordance with these truths.
This resistance, in which our inherited and acquired patterns of selfishness are aroused, is called “temptation.” If we did not know the truth, there would be no temptation. But once we have learned the truth, and have come to believe it, things are different. Because we now know what is true, we must compel ourselves to live accordingly.
Along with the acquisition of truth comes the opportunity to either confirm ourselves in it, or, if we choose, to turn away from it. This time of decision is called “temptation.” It is a time in our life when we can make a newly learned truth our own by actually living according to it. While this can be a challenging process, it is also most necessary. That’s because we can only develop our spiritual nature through the process of temptation. It is a process which begins as soon as we learn some truth, which is called “baptism,” and then strive to live according to it.
Accordingly, as soon as Jesus’ baptism is accomplished, He is immediately tempted by the devil. The truth that He has learned cannot merely remain in the memory. It has to be tried in the fires of temptation. And so, as our divine narrative continues, the baptism by water leads to trial by fire. This will be the focus of the next episode.
V:
1. AE 619:16: “John the Baptist represents the exteriors of the Word [the literal teachings of scripture], which are natural, like his clothing … namely, camel’s hair and the leather belt about his loins…. The Word in its most exterior sense is called ‘the sense of the letter’ or ‘the natural sense,’ for this is what John represented.”
2. AE 730:4: “In the Word ‘wilderness’ and also ‘solitude’ and ‘waste places’ are mentioned in many passages, and these signify the state of religion when there is no longer any truth in it because there is no good. This state of religion is called a ‘wilderness’ because in the spiritual world the place where those dwell who are not in truths because they are not in good is like a wilderness, where there is no verdure in the plains, nor harvest in the fields, nor fruit trees in the gardens, but a barren land, parched and dry.”
3. TCR 528: “Actual repentance is examining oneself, recognizing and acknowledging one's sins, praying to the Lord, and beginning a new life.” See also TCR 530: “The question then is asked: how is one to repent? The answer is, in deed; that is, by examining oneself, recognizing and acknowledging one’s sins, praying to the Lord, and starting a new life…. The same may be seen on considering the Ten Commandments which all Christians have before them; here six of the Ten Commandments are simply instructions not to do evil deeds, and unless one puts them away by repentance, one cannot love the neighbor, much less love God.”
4. AR 378: “The Lord washes or purifies a person by the divine truth…. ‘Water’ signifies the truth of the Word, which becomes good by living a life according to it.”
5. AC 9229: “‘Baptizing with the Holy Spirit’ means regenerating by means of the good of faith [in the understanding]; and ‘baptizing with fire’ means regenerating by means of the good of love [in the will].” See also AC 7950:2 “The good of charity is like a flame from which is light; for good is of love, and love is spiritual fire, from which comes enlightenment.”
6. AC 4906: “Good is actually spiritual fire, from which comes the spiritual heat which vivifies, and evil is the fire and the consequent heat which consumes…. This spiritual fire or heat which produces life becomes a burning and consuming fire with the evil, for with them it is turned into this kind of fire.” See also AC 6832:9: “People who do not know that a person’s vital heat has a different origin from that which is the source of elemental fire cannot possibly do anything else but think that by hell fire is meant fire like that found in the world. In the Word, however, this latter kind of fire is not meant but the fire of love, thus the fire of a person’s life, emanating from the Lord as a Sun. And when this fire comes among those engrossed in pursuits contrary to it, it is turned into the fire of evil desires which belong to vengeance, hatred, and cruelty, and which well up from self-love and love of the world. This is the fire that torments those who are in hell.”
7. TCR 444: “People were created so that everything they will, think and do appears to be inside them and so to come from them. Without this appearance a person would not be a human being, for people could not receive, retain or make as it were their own any trace of good and truth, or of love and wisdom. It follows from this that unless this were exactly the appearance, a person could not be linked with God, and so no one could have everlasting life. However, if this appearance induces people to believe that they themselves, and not the Lord, are the source of what they will, think and do, however much it looks as if they are the source, they turn good in themselves into evil and so produce a source of evil in themselves. This is called ‘Adam’s sin.’”
8. AE 569:4: “The Jordan River signifies entrance into the internal or spiritual church. This is because the regions beyond Jordan, where the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh had their inheritances allotted them, signified the external or natural church, and because that river was between those regions and the land of Canaan, and through it was the passage from one to the other, it signified entrance from the external church, which is natural, into the internal church which is spiritual. It was for this reason that baptism was there instituted, for baptism represented the regeneration of man, whereby the natural man is introduced into the church and becomes spiritual.” See also AR 776:3: “Baptism is a holy sacrament because it serves as a sign for heaven and as a reminder that a person can be regenerated by the Lord through truths from the Word…. By baptism a person is introduced into the church, as by crossing the Jordan the children of Israel were introduced into the land of Canaan.”
9. TCR 677: “Not only are infants baptized but all foreign proselytes who are converted to the Christian religion, both the young and the old, and this before they have been instructed, solely because they confess a willingness to embrace Christianity, into which they are introduced by baptism…. From all of this it is clear that baptism is insertion among Christians in the spiritual world also.”
10. TCR 164: “When Jesus was baptized, behold, the heavens were opened, and John saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove, and alighting upon Him; and a voice from heaven saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” This is also consistent with what is written in John: “And John bore witness, saying, ‘I saw the spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on Him’”
