Our Perfect Example
And Jesus answering sad unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then suffered him. Matthew 3:15
As Jesus asked for baptism, John drew back, exclaiming, " I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me?" With firm yet gentle authority, Jesus answered, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness." And John, yielding, led the Saviour down into the Jordan, and buried Him beneath the water. "And straightway coming up out of the water," Jesus "saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him."
Jesus did not receive baptism as a confession of guilt on His own account. He identified Himself with sinners, taking the steps that we are to take, and doing the work that we must do. His life of suffering and patient endurance after His baptism was also an example to us.
Upon coming up put of the water, Jesus bowed in prayer on the river bank. A new and important era was opening before Him. He was now, upon a wider stage, entering on the conflict of His life." (The Desire of Ages, 111)
Reflection: Immediately after baptism Jesus was led into the wilderness and tempted by Satan. This is another illustration of the Christian walk. When we make the decision to follow Christ, the devil will work even harder on us; but if God is for us, who can be against us? (See Romans 8:31.)
And Jesus answering sad unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then suffered him. Matthew 3:15
As Jesus asked for baptism, John drew back, exclaiming, " I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me?" With firm yet gentle authority, Jesus answered, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness." And John, yielding, led the Saviour down into the Jordan, and buried Him beneath the water. "And straightway coming up out of the water," Jesus "saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him."
Jesus did not receive baptism as a confession of guilt on His own account. He identified Himself with sinners, taking the steps that we are to take, and doing the work that we must do. His life of suffering and patient endurance after His baptism was also an example to us.
Upon coming up put of the water, Jesus bowed in prayer on the river bank. A new and important era was opening before Him. He was now, upon a wider stage, entering on the conflict of His life." (The Desire of Ages, 111)
Reflection: Immediately after baptism Jesus was led into the wilderness and tempted by Satan. This is another illustration of the Christian walk. When we make the decision to follow Christ, the devil will work even harder on us; but if God is for us, who can be against us? (See Romans 8:31.)
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