The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 12 January 2020 – TOPIC: PLAY YOUR OWN PART
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DATE: SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2020
(Epiphany 1)
TOPIC: PLAY YOUR OWN PART
READ: MATTHEW 3:13-17 (NKJV)
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.”
THE MESSAGE:
In most cases in life, people are often enthroned by the people they will lead. John the Baptist had been explaining that Jesus’ Baptism would be much greater than his own baptism. Suddenly, Jesus appeared on the scene, walking up to John to be baptised. John felt unqualified; he rather wanted Jesus to baptise him (verse 14). Jesus told John that his baptism was necessary to fulfil all righteousness (verse 15). To fulfil all righteousness here is likened to accomplishing God’s mission. Jesus’ baptism was a step of obedience at the beginning of His public ministry to identify Himself with John’s message of repentance. Jesus never sinned and so His baptism was not for repentance from sin. In this passage, all three Persons of the Trinity are present. God the Father speaks; God the Son is baptised as God the Holy Spirit descends:
There are striking lessons from today’s text. First, Jesus was humble to allow John to baptise Him. Humility is the key to successful life and ministry. Regrettably, it is lacking today among us. Second, Jesus was dependent on the Holy Spirit for His ministry. If Jesus could be dependent on the Holy Spirit, it means that we can do nothing on our own. Third, God tells us what Heaven thinks about Jesus: He is a beloved Son. What does Heaven say about you? Who lays claim over your life? Baptism is a public declaration of our status as children of God. Make sure your life follows the pattern of your calling.
PRAYER: Help me merciful God to play my part in fulfilling Your purpose in my family, Church and society.
HAPPY SUNDAY!