Today’s Reading:
Matthew 3:13-17
“Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you.” He said, “so why are you coming to me?” 15But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requests. So, John agreed to baptize him. 16After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
(Matthew 3:13-17 NLT)
Jesus’ baptism brought about a public proclamation of His sonship, identification with the people He came to save, and it is set to put right His redemptive mission on earth. Also, the Triune God was presented - Jesus as the Son who came in the flesh, the Holy Spirit appeared in form of a dove, and the Father spoke from heaven with a loud voice that was heard. (Mark 1:10, 11). In the event of Jesus’ baptism, John was in a dilemma. Before Jesus came, he had been talking of His greatness, that he (John) was not even worthy to be His servant. For Jesus to now show up for John to baptise him, was ridiculous. However, after Jesus persuaded him, he agreed to baptise him. Three things stand out clear that we can learn from.
One, at times the Lord will ask us to do unusual things. In the case of John, he was quick to recognise the unorthodox nature of Jesus’ request. The baptism was for those who have repented from their sin, why would sinless Jesus want to be baptised. Jesus simply answered it was sufficient to be done so (v. 15). Jesus did not bother to give any theological reason for it. At times when God leads us in a ridiculous way to carry out a task or direct us into an odd decision, to do a task, we think it is ridiculous, and react with resistance. We do not have a choice but to go on along with Him. And at the end, we would realise that the task could help us to build a strong ministry or spiritual life. Or when God asks us to leave a place we are used to; we feel reluctant and struggle to leave the place. We will press all buttons to know more about the step and where it would lead to. When we finally leave, we will realise that God has taken us to a new level on our spiritual journey.
Secondly, God accomplishes unusual things in the way he deems fit and best. God’s dealing with the individual is always different and this particular task may be different from the previous tasks. In our walk with God we should trust him, believe in him with a breadth, patiently with tolerance, when we are sure He is the one leading us, we should obediently follow Him. Thirdly, when we obediently follow him, we will realise that we are brought closer with God for a righteous work of saving lives and He is able to reveal a lot of things to us. When John yielded to obey Jesus, the result was that the Triune God sanctioned and testified to the baptism. Jesus the Son of God was made manifest in flesh; and immediately the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit showed up in form of a dove; then God the Father showed up with a loud voice from heaven confirming that “this is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
Are you resisting the unusual ways of God doing things in your life? Stop this when you are sure it is God leading you. He does things in unusual ways and is the best way to teach us as His children and servants of the Lord. God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. When He leads us even to the darkest places, he is with us. He will defend us, fight on our behalf and it will surprise us how He would go about humbling His enemies who oppose our way and persecute us. After a little resistance John obliged and did what Jesus asked for. We should not panic or be afraid when we walk with God. we are to trust, obey and follow him. When we walk with Jesus, it is very dangerous to try to be like the Jones by doing what He has not asked us to do. Our focus should always be on the Lord, our Master and our Friend, JESUS CHRIST. This reminds of a song we were taught at Sunday School:
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey.
Chorus: Trust and Obey,
There is no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
In our walk with God, May the Spirit of God abide with us always, teach us and reveal deep and secret things that will move our lives forward, in Jesus name.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
Prayer:
Father increase my faith, increase my spiritual gifts and give me the strength and wisdom to manage all, in Jesus name.
Lord sanctify my body, soul and spirit and grant me healthy spiritual growth, in Jesus name.
Lord make me a vessel of honour in Your hand; Your battle axe and Your new threshing machine with sharp teeth all to the glory of Your holy name, in Jesus name.
Lord visit homes, especially Christian homes with Your mercy and power, and let Your name be praised and glorified, in Jesus name.
The rod and axe of fire is laid at the root of the tree. Lord, prune Your Church and let her produce works of repentance and fruits of good deeds for Your Kingdom, in Jesus’ name.
Lord thank You for holding our nation Nigeria till this moment; visit us again with Your mercy and Your power to heal the land and Your people, save, and transform lives, in Jesus’ name.
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