Posted on 01/02/2019 3:36:20 PM PST by metmom
“Then Jesus arrived . . . coming to John, to be baptized by him” (Matthew 3:13).
In the original text of this passage, the wording “to be baptized” emphasizes purpose in this momentous appearance by the Lord Jesus. But it was extremely difficult for John the Baptist to understand why the God-Man would need to be baptized.
John’s baptism was for the confession of sin and repentance (3:2, 6, 11), but Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:29) had no need for such a baptism. It is hard to see why One who would take away sin would need to submit Himself to a ceremony that symbolizes death to sin and rising to spiritual life.
Because John knew so well that Jesus was the sinless Messiah, come to fulfill God’s redemptive purpose, he “tried to prevent Him” (Matt. 3:14). The Greek pronouns in John’s statement “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” are all in the emphatic position, underscoring his strong bewilderment over the situation. This was not a direct refusal, as Peter might have given (cf. Matt. 16:22), but the Baptist no doubt misunderstood Jesus’ request, thinking He could not possibly intend to undergo baptism.
All sinners need the repentance that baptism symbolizes, but many, such as the Jewish teachers and leaders of Jesus’ day, do not seek true repentance. Jesus, on the other hand, purposed to receive John’s baptism to show His complete obedience to God’s will.
Ask Yourself
The same Jesus who walked with such resolve and determination throughout His own earthly life has a distinct and daily purpose for yours. What pieces of this plan are becoming clearer to you? Pray that He will continue to reveal . . . and that you will continue to follow.
Studying God’s Word ping
The Christ was the only entity that would make the righteous ideal of John the Baptist’s baptism possible — who could “fulfill all righteousness” in it. Christ came as Jesus to carry our sins and to draw us through His kindness to repentance. If Jesus hadn’t been baptized in those waters, at the least they wouldn’t have had as much visible meaning.
To say it was purposeful is true, but that doesn’t tell us as much as a look at the actual purposes.
Notice Christ is tempted by Satan right after his baptism.
I did.
The Holy Spirit came down on Jesus like a dove and then immediately drove Him out into the wilderness and he spent 40 days fasting and praying and then He was tempted.
That’s not the pattern we’ve been led to expect from being filled with the Spirit these days.
I was reading this passage this morning. I note that the word “repent” or “repentance” occurs three times. In the book of Mark, Jesus’ first command uttered is “repent”. It’s clear that repentance is an essential element of belief in Christ. While not a “work” in itself it is a complete reorientation of ones belief system in accord with that of Christ. Thus, belief in Christ is more than just intellectual assent. It requires that one completely and sincerely accept Christ’s worldview. We won’t be able to completely conform our actions to this but we will have a sincere desire to do so and we will be disappointed in ourselves when we fail to do so.
I agree and preaching about repentance is sorely lacking these days.
Now one can just accept Christ as an add onto improve their lives, not a Savior to save and deliver them from the power of sin and death.
I can’t help but wonder how many of those who buy into, say Joel Osteen’s brand of Christianity, are truly born again.
Jesus didn’t come to be used as a good luck charm.
That’s a very wise insight you brought up.
I can vouch that it’s a very possible and logical consequence. I meet Jesus (or meet Him anew) — wheeee! Then I find myself walking right into the devil. Downer, though if overall I did well in spite of the pain, in hindsight it is an encouragement.
It has a role in the process we sometimes know as sanctification. Jesus didn’t need to be sanctified, but He did need to display the fruits of holiness.
I think it also has a lesson for Christians in the midst of social upheaval. It’s possible to find ourselves carping at the trials rather than focusing hard on Jesus to keep our path straight and keep our heart sustained. God already knows when we are not ready. The question is, do we? If we understand that, we can conquer on a more even keel, trusting in the everlasting arms that are beneath us as we say “destroy” (the works of the devil).
I recently read a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, “Small Things Not To Be Despised.” One vice of FR, as much as many of us love it, is to get overly grandiose. That bounces it back and forth between Wheeee! and Downer, and makes it a distracting addiction without as much purposeful influence as it might otherwise have. But Rev. Spurgeon speaks with a share in a powerful Spirit.
https://www.spurgeongems.org/vols43-45/chs2601.pdf
“For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven will be glad when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel— these are the eyes of the LORD which range to and fro throughout the earth.” — Zech 4:10
The Great is yet interested in the small! Zerubabbel is about to work on reconstructing the temple. It will be the temple that stands when Jesus is born.
Even Osteen — whose motivational work I have reviewed — can be helpful, but I’d never tell anyone to use them in a vacuum. The overall purposes of the Lord must be kept paramount. We should be careful not to let any “brand of Christianity” — not even MacArthur — speak louder than the Lord Himself.
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