PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 3:13-17
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Do you come to me?” (3:14)
John is surprised that the messiah comes to him to be baptized.
Jesus explains that it is the right thing to do (fulfills righteousness).
How is Jesus humbly coming to us the right thing to do?
What does his being baptized have to do with being right?
Jesus is demonstrating the right attitude and posture of a child of God.
We were created to love God and love people, to serve them in love.
Paul says it this way, “In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
He then shows how this is the Jesus way, how Jesus comes to us (Philippians 2:5-11).
Jesus is the kind of human (‘my son’) that pleases God, that we were meant to be.
The right thing to do, according to Jesus, is to serve and not be served.
Jesus always comes to us first, in humbly gracious ways, to love and help us.
Though we should actually come to him first in humble surrender, he comes to us first.
This is amazing grace, and the best thing we can do is consent to it as well (3:15).
PRAYER
Lord, I need to be baptized by you, yet you are baptized for me. You are my Saviour and Lord, and with you I am well-pleased!
Lord help me put you first, and let what I want to do be what You want me to do! Help me be aligned with Your will so that I work for You and not myself.
Jesus knew what his mission was – so to be baptized by John’s water of repentance was appropriate – he also showed his humility for all to see – especially John who knew who he was – but it was also a point of witness as the Father and Holy Spirit were also present – the mysterious unity of our one-in-three persons God. This passage is also a testimony to us – to encourage us in our faith. Jesus is truly the Messiah and the Son of God! And Jesus mission to the cross to fulfill all righteousness: “it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus asks John to do it: let us do it – and John complies even though he knows Jesus did not need to do it! But they did it for us as a witness. Jesus fulfilled all righteousness so that through him we also by believing may be made righteous! Thank you Jesus!
John also writes about this event. Jesus pleases the Father. I must do the same. I too am here to serve and as far as it depends upon me to live at peace with all men. That is a servant true. Jesus came to serve and I must do the same also this day.
Make me a servant
Humble and meek
Lord let me lift up those who are weak
And may the prayers of my heart always be
Make me a servant
Make me a servant
Make me a servant today