FEB 6th
Matthew 3:13–17 (ESV) 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so
now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he
consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the
water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice
from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
- Bro. Benji HEAR JOURNAL HIGHLIGHT: 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” EXPLAIN: This exchange between Jesus and John is a normal response. Why would the greater need to be baptized by the lesser. Jesus is the Forerunner of our faith and as we follow Him our first public display of our faith is baptism. APPLY: God gave John baptism as a sign of repentance. Jesus demonstrated that it was an outward display of faith that represents His death, burial and resurrection. Our baptism is a public profession that Jesus is Lord and we have died to sin in Him and been raised to new life in Him. RESPOND: Lord thank You for salvation. You have saved me alone by Your work of grace. As I walk in this new life allow me to shine for You and bring glory to Your holy name. God allow our church to long to see the lost come to faith. God allow our baptism waters to be stirred by the display of new faith. let us be people of prayer that pray to the Lord of the harvest. Amen.
- V 14-15; Jesus didn't need to be baptized for any other reason than to bring God glory. A lot of other religious groups practiced baptism in this day. Jesus' baptism proved to be the true baptism of all time. For Jesus and John this act of baptism was obedience to God. Perhaps it represented more than that. The fact that it was to fulfill all righteousness is a clue that it was about more than mere obedience. The same is true for believers. Being baptized in the same manner as Jesus is a display of our obedience and our death, burial and resurrection. Lord, I need to understand baptism better in order to be obedient. Teach me so that I can honor You in every way possible.