Step Into the Water | Matthew 3, Baptism, and Living Righteously

In this episode of the Dusty Discipleship Podcast, we explore Matthew 3 and the meaning of baptism in the time of Jesus. What did baptism mean in the first century? How did Jewish purification rituals like the mikveh shape John the Baptist’s message? And why did Jesus choose to be baptized if He didn’t need repentance?

We walk through the biblical story of water—from creation to the flood to the Exodus—and see how baptism is more than a ritual. It’s a step into God’s story.

We also unpack what Jesus meant when He said He came “to fulfill all righteousness,” and how righteousness is about living in right relationship with God, others, and the world.

This episode challenges you to move from observing Jesus to actually following Him—by stepping into what is right.

• Matthew 3 explained simply
• What baptism meant in Jesus’ world
• Jewish mikveh and purification practices
• John the Baptist and repentance
• Qumran and wilderness communities
• Why Jesus was baptized
• “Fulfilling all righteousness” explained
• Biblical meaning of righteousness
• Baptism as stepping into God’s story
• Practical application for following Jesus

• Baptism is not just about cleansing—it’s about starting something new
• John’s baptism was a call to turn around and prepare for God’s work
• Jesus was baptized to step into what is right, not to fix anything in Himself
• Righteousness means living in right relationship with God, others, and creation
• Following Jesus requires stepping in—not standing on the edge

• Matthew 3

• Creation (Genesis 1) – Life emerging from water
• Noah and the Flood (Genesis 6–9) – New life through water
• Exodus (Exodus 14) – Israel passing through the Red Sea
• Crossing the Jordan (Joshua 3–4) – Entering the promised land
• Naaman’s cleansing (2 Kings 5)

Baptism (Biblical Context):
A physical act of stepping into water that symbolizes cleansing, preparation, and entering a new way of life with God.

Mikveh (Jewish Tradition):
A ritual immersion in water used for purification and preparation before sacred moments.

Righteousness (Biblical Meaning):
Living in right relationship with God, others, and the world—doing what is right, just, and faithful in everyday life. 

Where is God inviting you to step into what is right instead of standing on the edge?

• For some, this may mean taking the step of baptism
• For others, it may mean repentance—turning back to God
• It may mean making something right in a relationship
• Or stepping into obedience where you’ve been hesitant

You don’t have to have everything figured out.
You just have to step in.

• BibleProject – Righteousness & Justice teaching
• https://bibleproject.com/articles/baptism-in-the-bible/

In this episode, Mitch walks through Matthew 2 and explores the clash between two kingdoms: empire and the kingdom of God (shalom). Through the story of Herod, the religious leaders, Jerusalem, and the Magi, we see four distinct responses to Jesus—and a powerful invitation to examine our own.

• Empire → control, fear, self-preservation
• Shalom → peace, restoration, trust in God

Herod represents the kingdom of empire, while Jesus embodies a completely different way of life.

This tension isn’t new—it runs through the entire Bible:

• Pharaoh in Egypt
• Israel in the wilderness
• Kings like Saul and Solomon
• The Persian Empire in Esther

Empire isn’t just a place—it’s a pattern.

Matthew 2 shows four ways people respond when the true King arrives:

• Herod → Resistance (threatened, clings to power)
• Religious Leaders → Apathy (know the truth, don’t act)
• Jerusalem → Disturbance (troubled, unsettled)
• Magi → Worship (seek, sacrifice, surrender)

Same King. Same moment. Different responses.

Jesus doesn’t build like empire:

• He doesn’t grasp power
• He doesn’t control or dominate
• He moves toward the vulnerable
• He welcomes outsiders
• He trusts the Father

He lives differently within empire, showing what the kingdom of God looks like.

Where do you see empire in your life… and how are you responding to Jesus?

• Are you resisting?
• Apathetic?
• Disturbed?
• Or worshipful like the Magi?

Matthew 3 — Exploring John the Baptist and the baptism of Jesus, and how Jesus begins to step fully into His role.

God has been intentionally writing His story from the beginning, and He is inviting you to find your place in it.

• Our lives are shaped by family, past experiences, and expectations
• We don’t just make decisions—we live out narratives

• Matthew 1 answers:
  • Who are you?
  • Where do you come from?
  • Where do you fit?
• Jesus is rooted in:
  • Abraham (promise)
  • David (king)

This is not just where Jesus came from—it is where the story has been going.

• Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba
• Broken leaders and outsiders are included

God is not endorsing every action—He is redeeming broken stories.

• Rise: Abraham to David
• Fall: David to Exile
• Waiting: Exile to Jesus

The repetition of "14" points to David and emphasizes the coming King.
Even with kings, the story breaks.

• Jesus means “The Lord saves”
• Immanuel means “God with us”

God does not remain distant—He steps into the brokenness, the waiting, and the uncertainty.

• We all experience:
  • brokenness
  • waiting
  • uncertainty

Matthew 1 shows:

• God works through imperfect stories
• God works in long seasons
• God is still writing

• “We don’t just make decisions—we live out narratives.” 
• “This isn’t just a list of names—it’s an invitation to belong.” 
• “God doesn’t abandon the story—He enters it.” 
• “You don’t have to fix your story first—you just have to find your place in His.” 

Where is God inviting you to stop controlling your story and start trusting His?

In this opening episode of Dusty Discipleship, Mitch shares the heart behind the podcast, the story that shaped him, and the vision for where this journey is headed. From growing up in an IFB world, to walking through church hurt, sin, healing, and reconstruction, this episode lays the foundation for a different way of reading Scripture and following Jesus.

This podcast is not just about learning more information—it is about becoming more like Jesus. Together, we will walk through the Gospels, trace the story of Scripture, and ask what it looks like to follow King Jesus closely enough that the dust of His feet begins to shape our lives.

What We Talk About

• What “Dusty Discipleship” means
• Why discipleship is about transformation, not just information
• Mitch’s background and early church experience
• Growing up in an IFB context
• Church hurt, leadership failure, and its lasting impact
• A season of deconstruction and rebuilding in Jesus
• A turning point in how the Bible was read and understood
• Discovering the Bible as a unified, layered story
• Influences that shaped this journey
• What biblical theology is (in simple terms)
• Core ideas that will shape this podcast going forward
• Why we’re starting in the Gospels
• What listeners can expect each week

• Discipleship is about walking closely with Jesus, not observing from a distance
• The Bible is one unified story, not a collection of disconnected parts
• Jesus is King and calls for allegiance, not just agreement
• God is bringing heaven and earth together—and invites us into that work
• God does not want to use people; He wants to partner with them
• You don’t need perfect theology to begin—just a willingness to take the next step

• Marty Solomon & The BEMA Podcast

• Ray Vander Laan
• Michael Heiser
• BibleProject (Tim Mackie & Jon Collins)
• N.T. Wright
• David Fohrman — The Beast That Crouches at the Door

• Genesis 1
• Genesis 4:7
• John 1
• The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)
• 1 Peter

Next episode, we begin in Matthew 1, walking through the genealogy of Jesus and exploring why it matters more than we might think.