Welcome to A Journey through the New Testament! In this series, we will systematically journey through every chapter in the New Testament, unveiling the marvelous insights that can be found in the scriptures.
The latter part of Matthew 3 deeply resonated with me, drawing my attention to the profound privilege John the Baptist experienced when given the opportunity to baptize the Lord. One might assume that their familial connection—being cousins—already established a close relationship, but John's interaction with Jesus reveals that familial ties did not diminish his deep reverence for the Lord.
In fact, John's reverence was so profound that he hesitated, entertaining the thought of baptizing Jesus or being baptized by the Holy Spirit instead (Matthew 3:14). Yet, in response to this internal struggle, Jesus reassured him that it was indeed God's will for John to baptize Him. This stirred my contemplation on the nature of God.
Jesus, the Lord who crafted the universe, inherently lacks nothing. Despite this, He graciously bestows upon us the gift of His Holy Spirit, assigning us specific roles and functions to fulfill. He anoints us, empowering us for these tasks, and astonishingly, blesses us as if we were the source of His divine provision. It's truly awe-inspiring to fathom that a God who is self-sufficient would deliberately choose us to serve Him.
This narrative echoes the broader truth of our relationship with God. He invites us into His divine plan, not out of necessity, but out of love. In our finite understanding, it may seem paradoxical that the Almighty would seek our companionship and involvement. Yet, just as John played a unique role in baptizing Jesus, we too have a distinctive purpose in God's grand design. Reflecting on this, let us approach our service with humility and gratitude, recognizing that we are chosen vessels in the hands of a God who delights in using the seemingly insignificant for His glorious purposes.
Written by Kareem Flowers, Sunrise with Jesus
Reflect upon something that the Lord has entrusted you with to serve Him, and express your gratitude for it.