Main Scripture: Luke 3
John Baptizes Jesus
21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. 22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased."
You know how sometimes a portion of the Scriptures will seem to just jump out at you, even after having read it many times before? Well, it never registered in my understanding before today that Jesus was praying as he was being baptized by John! (See highlighted section above)
As I continued meditating on this passage, the following four things struck me about Jesus as well:
1. He humbled Himself and allowed the weaker (John) to baptize Him (the mightier). In verse 16 John says:
"I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.
2. He was obedient to the will of God and taught John to do the same. Matthew 3:15:
But Jesus answered and said to him,"Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.
3. He knew the importance of praying in and for every situation. While being baptized, He knew He was fulfilling all righteousness and could have foregone praying, since he was doing what he was supposed to be doing. However, instead, He set an example for us of what is written in Luke 18:1 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17:
- Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart;
- pray without ceasing,
4. He was commended by God for the aforementioned. The latter part of verse 22 of Luke 3 says:
"You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased."
Can you think of anything more satisfying than to hear God pronounce those words about us? I sure can't. If Jesus, the God/Man felt the need to pray in every situation, certainly, we as weak human beings, MUST follow suit, if we are to please God.
Dear God, let this mind be in us which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in Your very form, God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with You, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore You also have highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to Your glory, God, our Father. (Prayer using Philippians 2:5-11)
RE*J*oicita 
No comments:
Post a Comment