Simple Obedience

Simple Obedience

Matthew 3:13-15, NLT

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 requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.

Setting the Scene

Matthew 3:2 and 4:17 make it clear that John the Baptist and Jesus had a common message: “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near” (NLT). For months before Jesus began his ministry, John had been confronting the crowds with their need to turn to God for forgiveness. When the Messiah arrived, John soon stepped aside, for his role was complete.

We don’t know how many encounters John and Jesus had, but Christ’s baptism stands out in the gospel story. John devoted his life to preparing the way for Jesus, but he clearly didn’t expect Jesus to ask to be baptized along with the crowds. He knew Jesus had no reason to repent. So he suggested that Jesus baptize him.

Jesus’ answer gives us a glimpse into his acceptance of God’s will over the course of his life. The phrase “we must carry out all that God requires” is similar to Jesus’ later words in the garden of Gethsemane, “I want your will to be done, not mine” (Luke 22:42, NLT). By insisting on baptism, Jesus was making public his identification with sinners. He went to the Cross as the ultimate act of substitution, but he began his ministry with this act of obedience that beautifully pictured his eventual purpose. Long before the nails were driven into his flesh, Jesus was taking steps that would make his sacrifice perfect and complete.

Getting Personal

If you had been there by the river that day, from what sins would you have needed to repent?

What makes submission to God difficult for you?

Both the King (Jesus) and his herald (John the Baptist) had the same message: repent. The herald invited people to demonstrate their inner response with an outward action in baptism. The King submitted to the outward action as a way to confirm that repentance makes a difference in God’s eyes. This has always been the first step in responding to God—we must accept our hopeless condition apart from God’s mercy and respond in simple obedience. The King welcomes the humble and needy who come to him.

Talking to God

As you come to the Lord today, recall your original understanding of your sin and your need for the saving mercy and grace of God. Tell God you need his healing mercy and grace just as much today!