Bible Series 2010: John Baptizes Jesus: Matthew 3:13-17

Have you ever thought about whether you have a big ego or not?  Are you greedy and want more or can you step back and realize that you are not really better than others and that we are all created the same in some respect or another?  Yes, some of us have more than others, but we have to know that what we have is materialistic and not something we can keep forever.  Is it best to be headstrong and always want to rule the day or again, taking a step back and know that not everyone has the same qualities?

When I say that we are created the same, I am saying that God created man and from man he created woman.  These are the only differences there are.  The color of our skin, whether or not our inner and outer beauty is different, our system of political belief does not mean a thing when it comes to God.  God is all knowing, He is all-powerful and the Ultimate Authority and believe you and me, He can giveth and He can taketh away.

Think of the day that John the Baptist was in the desert, in the Jordan River and He was having a "field day."  He was standing practically waist deep in the Jordan River and was watching as man after man came to him to be baptized.  He was enjoying the day and what it was that He was accomplishing.  He knew that the Day of the Lord was coming, He had no idea it was that particular day.  Nothing could stop him and he had every right to have an ego.  However, the time came very quickly where he had to take a step back because, guess what, The Lord Jesus Christ came to be baptized by John himself.

"Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.  But John tried to deter Him, saying, '"I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?"'

Jesus replied, "Let it be so now, it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness."  Then John consented.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water.  At that moment, heaven was opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is My Son, whom I love, with Him I am well pleased."  (Matthew 3:13-17, Life Application Study Bible, NIV).

John the Baptist did what we all need to do once in a while.  Know that we as individuals are not better than another.  We may have more, we may be smarter, we may be better looking, but if you believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and that He is the Messiah and the Son of God, then know that He is all what is perfect about society.  Nothing less, nothing and nobody more.

I did say that I would bring up a question for discussion and that is:  "Does Repentance precede Faith?"  Well, I will do the best I can to answer this and then you can certainly leave your comments and if you want them shared, let me know and I will keep them posted here for 30 days.  Here is what I believe.  If you are sinful in nature and have yet to come to know the Lord Jesus Christ, then yes, to repent first and then lead your way into faith is the answer.  At the same time, when you know in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord and that He is the Son of God, then say so.  Do not be afraid, do not be worried.  Jesus went to the Cross to lift the burden of sin from our shoulders.  No one else did this.  As John the Baptist said in Matthew 3:1, "Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is near."  He certainly did know this because the Lord Jesus stepped into the Jordan River to be baptized by him.

Finally, I want to share what the footnote in the Life Application Bible, NIV, page 1533 says about Matthew 3:15 and what I discussed earlier in this posting about ego:  Put yourself in John's shoes.  Your work is going well, people are taking notice, everything is growing.  But you know that the purpose of your work is to prepare the people for Jesus (John 1:35-37).  Then Jesus arrives, and His coming tests your integrity.  Will you be able to turn your followers over to Him?  John passed the test by publicly baptizing Jesus.  Soon he would say, "He must become greater, I must become less."  (John 3:30).  Can, we like John, put our egos and profitable work aside in order to point others to Jesus?  Are we willing to lose some of our status so that everyone will benefit?


I know that I can because I have.  God gives us a calling.  Not long ago, I had a conversation with a good friend who told me that I was 95% on the way to becoming successful but that I had to really take a long look and see what it is that I truly want to do.  I know growing up that I wanted to be a lawyer or an astronaut.  I was also told that I would make a good rabbi.  Well, it is certainly not going to be any of these careers for me, but God is calling me into the wilderness.  He is calling me to be successful in bringing people to the Lord Jesus Christ.  So, I am looking at returning to school to receive my second degree in Theology and Bible Study.

God is great!

This weekend is going to be long and it is going to be blessed.  Alex and I are joining our home church in the production of  The Christmas Song which I talked about in an earlier post and there is a map to our church if you so desire to come witness great music, great drama about the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is Sunday evening, 6:30pm in the main sanctuary of Mount Carmel Christian Church in Stone Mountain.  Directions are on this blog site. See you there.

I will be returning on Sunday evening to the blog with a post:  Satan Tempts Jesus in the Desert.

Have a blessed weekend and hope to see you at Mount Carmel Christian Church for The Christmas Song.

Dave Brown
Friday, December 10, 2010
Grayson, Georgia