Yesterday as I sat and read the word of God I decided I would begin looking at Jesus words for my personal studying and for this blog. So, this next section of my blog will be regarded as the “Red Letters”. I remember that a few years ago when I was seeking God I decided to do this very same thing and I drew so much closer to the Lord through it. I am so excited to see what He will reveal to me this time. Maybe some reminders and I am sure many new things. I want to remind all of you to not just read my blog but go to His word and read it. Reading your Bible is the most important thing you can do. God reveals things to us that are pertinent to our lives and it is exciting to hear Him talk through His word. Some people have told me how they have heard an audible voice from God, I have not had that privilege but I have heard Him speak through His word and into my very being. I trust you will experience a new vision on life as you discover how amazing our God is.
The first recorded words of Jesus in the Bible can be found in Matthew 3:15a “Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’” Jesus was speaking to John the Baptist who did not think he should be baptizing Jesus but that Jesus should be baptizing him. John had most likely known Jesus since childhood, in fact before birth. If you remember, Mary went to John’s mother Elizabeth, her cousin, after conceiving Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth was carrying John in her own womb and he leaped inside of her when Elizabeth heard her voice and then we are told that Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:41). She then prophesied that Mary and her child within her were blessed and that she was carrying the Lord. All of this account can be found in Luke 1: 29-45. I would urge you to take a few minutes and read it.
Getting back to John and Jesus, let’s imagine that these two cousins played together as children. What do you think those two cousins did when they got together and played as little boys? I don’t imagine they were collecting frogs and putting them in their pockets or running and teasing all the girls. I can see them sitting and talking about the things of God even as little children. I would imagine Elizabeth spoke often of the account of how Jesus was the Messiah. You might have thought that John was maybe somewhat jealous of Jesus but not so, John was a miracle baby himself and his parents had stories to tell him too. In Luke 1:14-15 the angel of the Lord was speaking to John’s father about his son who was to be conceived by his aged wife, the angel said, “He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.” John the Baptist wasn’t jealous because he had the Spirit within him.
Now they are grown men and John was preparing the way of the Lord. The Pharisees and Sadducees that came to see John were rebuked and called to repentance. He would baptize those who repented but would go on to tell them how there was one coming that would baptize them with the Holy Spirit and with fire. John knew this was Jesus and when Jesus came to be baptized John did not feel that he was fit to baptize but that Jesus should be baptizing him. Then we get to how Jesus answered him. Note, once again, what His reply to John was, Matthew 3:15, “Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now, it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then John consented.” This is when Jesus was revealed as the Son of God. Luke 3:16-17 “As soon as Jesus was baptized, 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 lighting on Him. (17) And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” The righteousness of God was revealed to us through that event and many others to come. If Jesus had baptized John the event would not have changed a thing because John was already a minster of God but Jesus was just beginning. Both of these men followed the will of God and did what they were being asked to do. Tomorrow we will look at what happened after this glorious event and how Jesus handled it.
What can we learn from Jesus words today and how do we apply them to our lives? I would encourage all of us to stop and think about how we are revealing the righteousness of God to others. Are we on a journey of ministry or are we on a journey of living a life of survival. Ask Him today to reveal to you how you can serve Him more and yourself less. Seek Him and find Him as you seek Him with all your heart.
Seeking Him with all my heart,
Sheila
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