Matthew 3:13-17
As we read yesterday, John was the forerunner of Jesus, and this is the first mention we have of Jesus since He was twelve. I often wonder how much interaction Jesus and John had growing up, since they were cousins, but Scripture doesn’t really give us any insight into that. John does appear to know who Jesus is and what He came to do, as indicated by his acknowledgment, “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you.” There must have been some conversations passed along, at least among the families, about both John’s and Jesus’ miraculous births.
Yet Jesus, even knowing who He was and is, shows His ultimate obedience in every way to the will and purposes of God. Yes, He was the Son of God, yet as Hebrews 5:8–9 states:
“Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.” Hebrews 5:8–9 NLT
There were no shortcuts for Jesus, nor are there any for us. We must do things as the Word of God requires.
This simple passage also reveals the truth of a believer’s position in Christ, no matter the title. Our walk with God requires mutual submission to one another for the greater purposes of God. We are to work together with one mind and purpose for God. Jesus displayed this perfectly, and as Paul writes to the Philippians:
“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”
Philippians 2:5-8 NLT
As Paul explains, we are to choose humility, surrender, and obedience rather than clinging to one’s rights or status.
The lesson is clear: those who think they are “all that” and above others have lost sight of the true character of Christ. Humility is essential and something we must possess to enter the kingdom of God.
We are called to clothe ourselves with humility, for we must remember that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. And honestly — who couldn’t use more grace?
Yet Jesus, even knowing who He was and is, shows His ultimate obedience in every way to the will and purposes of God. Yes, He was the Son of God, yet as Hebrews 5:8–9 states:
“Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.” Hebrews 5:8–9 NLT
There were no shortcuts for Jesus, nor are there any for us. We must do things as the Word of God requires.
This simple passage also reveals the truth of a believer’s position in Christ, no matter the title. Our walk with God requires mutual submission to one another for the greater purposes of God. We are to work together with one mind and purpose for God. Jesus displayed this perfectly, and as Paul writes to the Philippians:
“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”
Philippians 2:5-8 NLT
As Paul explains, we are to choose humility, surrender, and obedience rather than clinging to one’s rights or status.
The lesson is clear: those who think they are “all that” and above others have lost sight of the true character of Christ. Humility is essential and something we must possess to enter the kingdom of God.
We are called to clothe ourselves with humility, for we must remember that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. And honestly — who couldn’t use more grace?
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