Tuesday 6th January
Read Matthew 3:13-17
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, ‘I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?’
15 Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then John consented.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptised, 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 alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’” (NIVUK)
John understands the gulf in holiness between him and Jesus. John knows he is not remotely worthy to even untie Jesus’ shoes. John knows he is a sinner who needs to pass through the waters of repentance to new life himself and that Jesus does not. John rightly seeks to order things the correct way.
This is not a case of fulfilling Paul’s instructions to the Philippian church to always consider others better than yourself (Philippians 2:3). This is not a state-of-mind one must keep. The reality is exactly as John understands it. Knowing Jesus ourselves we can’t help but agree!
In fact, the thought creeps in as to whether Jesus’ holiness is a little sullied by being washed, with everyone else, by someone less holy than Himself? That small thought, ‘with everyone else’ is the comforting balm the early church clung to when wondering if there was a way out of sin and death.
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to feel sympathy for our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16) (NIVUK)
