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Matthew 3:13-17 - Righteousness Fulfilled

by Gary Sims
01/05/05
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The Gospels
Matthew 3:13-17 - Righteousness Fulfilled

Key Verses: (MSG)

  • 13-14: “Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordon River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize Him. 14John objected, 'I'm the one who needs to be baptized, not you!'" - John asked the questions that we have pondered for centuries: What was God doing in a manger? Why would God need to be baptized? Why was God hung on a tree?

  • 15: "But Jesus insisted. 'Do it. God's work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism.' 16So John did it." - God's righteousness prevails when we give ourselves over to His Will and follow through with His plans.

  • 16-17: "The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and He saw God's Spirit - it looked like a dove - descending and landing on Him. 17And along with the Spirit, a voice: 'This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.'" - This public inauguration of Jesus' ministry and the presence of the Holy Trinity reveals the full essence of God - The Creator, The Spirit, and The Son - three in one and intimately involved in our lives.
    Points to Contemplate:
    • Why did Jesus need to be baptized? Since Jesus was sin-free, does this show you that baptism is more than symbolic washing of sins? Was there more to your baptism then simple penitence and forgiveness? Do you accept that through your baptism you have been anointed for God's holy purpose? Is God "putting things right" through you? Does He have plans for your life that will help align the world to His will?

    • Are you fulfilling God's plans? Jesus essentially told a questioning John to follow through with what was required because this was God's plan. Are there times in your life and in your ministry when you do not know why you are being asked to do the things you are doing? Do you seek explanation and understanding before moving forward? Or do you accept God's plans for your life and follow through with them with the best of your ability? Do you see that when you do this you are fulfilling His righteousness and building His kingdom in lives around you?

    • In what ways have you experienced the Holy Trinity in your life? Has the essence of the man named Jesus, a teacher and healer, brought new purpose into your life? Have you been inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit in ways that new meaning and understanding has revealed God's truth in your life's experiences? Has the love of God embraced you and filled you with hope, peace, and a joy that surpasses all understanding?

    • Is God "well pleased" with you? As you complete each day, do you consider your actions and accomplishments and wonder if God is pleased? Before you utter a remark or burst forth with comment and opinion do you first consider what God would think? Are you living your life in an attempt to bring joy to God in everything you do?
    Promises of the Gospel:

    As we go through life we often come across things that do not make sense. We often have questions that cannot be answered. We can pass through challenges and struggles without understanding why they have occurred or what we have learned from them. Like John, standing waist-deep in life's issues, often times when God reveals His glory we do not know how to respond. But we do. Simply doing what God asks is the only way we can respond. When nothing makes sense all we need do is take another step towards heaven and the righteousness of God will be fulfilled. As we choose to continue along the pathway of ministry that God has provided, we will experience the fullness of His glory - God in three persons. He will lead, guide, teach, comfort, and assist us because, with His help and when the day is done, He will be well pleased with our efforts.

    FUMC Devotionals

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