Matthew 3:13-17 NASB
¹³Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him.
¹⁴But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
¹⁵But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him.
¹⁶After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, ¹⁷and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”
Devotional
While John the Baptist goes about his work, the announced King comes.
John recognizes Him as the Lamb of God, the One who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). No wonder he refuses to baptize this Saint (Matthew 3:13,14). Surely the servant cannot baptize the Lord?!
A sinner is no match for Jesus?!
But Jesus answers him, “Leave it now, for in this way we ought to fulfill righteousness fully” (Matthew 3:15 Willibrord Translation 1995).
Everything that God asks of John and Jesus right now, in this situation, must be done.
▪︎ For John this means that he must baptize Jesus.
After all, the LORD had sent him to baptize the Israelites.
▪︎ For Jesus it means that He must be baptized by John.
After all, God had called Him to save His people (cf. Matthew 1:21).
To this end, Jesus must show solidarity with his people, especially with regard to the sin of his people. His entering into the water is a coming to the place where He will meet His people, and us too.
In Jesus, the Messiah, we see God’s act of salvation for a world lost in guilt (John 3:16). By being baptized, He shows that He chooses for us, sinful people.
He aligns himself with us, that we may be acquitted by faith in Him.
The King and Lord becomes a servant.
The Just will die for the unjust.
That is the destiny of his life (Isaiah 53:11).
After baptism, God in his own voice designates Him as the Messiah (Matthew 3:17; Cf. Psalms 2:7. This psalm is the psalm of the messianic King.)
At His baptism, the Spirit of God descended as a dove on Him (Matthew 3:16).
He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11), first receives the Spirit Himself as equipment for his messianic task.
Just as the dove announced a new time to Noah (Genesis 8:10,11), the descent of the Spirit on Jesus like a dove makes it clear that the new time has now arrived.
On Calvary Jesus brought about the redemption. There He died in our place and for us. Jesus has aligned himself with us sinful people. In our place and for us.
Question
▪︎ What do Romans 3:21-26 and 2 Corinthians 5:21 say about Jesus’ suffering and death?
Prayer suggestions
▪︎ Ask the Lord to help you to live from what you may be through and in Jesus.
Twitter: @SchoemakerHarry
Website 1: https://devotionals.harryschoemaker.nl
Website 2: http://bijbelplaatjes.nl
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