vv 13-14 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?"
John has spent his whole life preparing the way for the Messiah, and now the Messiah has come. But when He tells John what to do John argues with Him!! And when Jesus doesn't come through for John the Baptist in the way he expects, he questions if Jesus is in fact the Messiah after all (Mt. 11:3). Throughout the Gospels we see that happening. Jesus' disciples don't understand the way in which the Savior will save, so they try to deter Him. And oh, how they doubt! Why was it so hard for them to trust Him, and to submit to His plan? Why is it so hard for me?!
God's plans often surprise me. Jesus works in my life in ways that I could never expect or predict. But I am learning to trust Him more. I have experienced that God's will is good, pleasing and perfect, even when it doesn't make sense to me at the time. And thankfully, God is patient with us when we don't understand. Jesus explained why John needed to baptize Jesus and John consented. And what a joyous wonder it must have been! What must John have felt like when he got to see up close and personal the Spirit of God descending like a dove on Jesus. And to hear the voice of God the Father say, "This is My Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." Yes, there are blessings of obedience!
And anyway, could anyone really deter Jesus?!
1 comment:
Wow. You are really getting good at this blogging thing. That was a world class message!
Thank you honey,
Chip
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