Verse of the Day 1/2

Through the Bible - Genesis 3-5, Matthew 2

Good morning,

We know very little about Jesus' early life except for the time that he stayed behind to talk with the religious teachers while his family was on a trip. We'll leave that for another day. Other than that, Jesus lived in relative obscurity until He began His public ministry.

Today's verse comes from Matthew 3 where Jesus came, or "arrived" to be baptized by John the Baptist.

John MacArthur writes that "the word translated "arrived" in Matthew 3:13 often indicated an official arrival or public appearance by a dignitary. From now on Jesus would be in the public eye and call no place His permanent earthly home.
This important episode from the beginning of Christ's ministry clearly shows us that Jesus, though knowing that a high degree of visibility would ultimately cost Him, obediently stepped from the comfort of obscurity into the high risk position of a public figure. His work would invite strong opinion, but in order to accomplish the Father's will, it must take place in full view of the world. It must come at the cost of being widely observed."

Matt 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. NKJV

Many of us became Christians and live/have lived in relative obscurity in regards to our faith, at least in public. At St. Marks there are several baptism services through the year and we have a large ceremony out at a lake in August. It is to be a public display and testimony of our faith that should carry over into our daily lives.


"If you ask what the decisive, public way of taking a Christian stand was in the New Testament, the answer is, baptism. The message Peter gave in Acts 2 ended with the words, "Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 2:38). Our renewed conviction is that we need to regularly offer baptism as the decisive public way for people to respond publicly to the gospel". - John Piper

As we head into the new year, may we be mindful of that, and make it a point this year more than ever, to make our faith known wherever we go. Think of what John MacArthur's words will mean "in order to accomplish the Father's will, it must take place in full view of the world. It must come at the cost of being widely observed."

Even though Jesus was sinless, He submitted to the Father's will and was baptized publicly. Have you been baptized? Note the Father's response below.

Matthew 3:17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying,"This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net

Matt 3:13-4:1

John Baptizes Jesus
(Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21,22; John 1:29-34)

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?"

15 But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.

16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying,"This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

NKJV