John the Baptizer and every Christian minister after him are only able to administer the outward sign of baptism. All John can do is make people wet with water. Only the Lord Jesus can baptise us, or wash us, with his Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of our sins. By referring to wheat which is gathered into the barn, John means Christians who are gathered into eternal life. By referring to the chaff which is burned with unquenchable fire, John means to warn us of the eternal punishment which awaits all who reject the Lord Jesus and his salvation.
In the account of the Lord’s baptism by John, the three persons of the Trinity are clearly revealed. There is the Son who is baptised. There is the Holy Spirit who descends in the form of a dove. And there is the Father who speaks from heaven. Since we are united to Christ by faith, believers may take comfort from the knowledge that in Christ, and because of his righteousness, we too are well-pleasing to God and may look to him as our loving Heavenly Father.
Tags: Matthew