Jan. 4, 2021
Noah makes final preparations and loads the ark with his family and the animals God told him to bring. After taking God at His word that a flood was coming, the water finally came.
For 40 days, Noah waits for the water to subside. Then, at the beginning of Genesis 8, God remembered Noah. The word “remembered” signifies God is turning His active attention toward Noah — not that God had forgotten about Noah or his family.
When Noah steps on dry ground, he offers a sacrifice to God. What follows is known as the Noahic covenant. God promises to never again flood the earth and gives humanity the rainbow as a sign to remember this promise.
John the Baptist fulfilled Old Testament prophecies of a voice in the wilderness preparing the way of the Lord (Isaiah 40:3).
Clothed with camel’s hair and a leather belt, John the Baptist reminded people of the prophet Elijah who fearlessly called Israel to repentance (2 Kings 1:8, Matthew 3:4).
John’s message was the same one Jesus would bring: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Repentance is more than feeling sorry about sin; repentance is changing your mind and living in obedience to God and His ways.
John baptized people as a sign of repentance, which is why he was hesitant to baptize Jesus. Jesus was sinless. He didn’t need to be baptized, but He chose to be baptized out of obedience to God (Matthew 3:15).
Jesus’ baptism was a way to support John’s message, launch His public ministry, and show that humility and repentance please God.
Make It Personal
- Noah believed what God said and built the ark. What promises from God do you need to believe? How would it change the way you live right now?
- Obedience to God caused Noah, John the Baptist, and Jesus to live in a way that others considered crazy. How do you respond when God’s Word doesn’t fit the norm?
- Is there any area of your life where you need to repent?
Learn More About Noah
Teaching Pastor Meredith Knox shares a unique and fresh perspective on Noah’s story in this 5-minute video.
