Not Those Words

Warriors Arise: July 10, 2023

Matthew 3:13-15 (NKJV) 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.

Wow! I am blown away by the fact that Jesus submitted Himself to John. He was not going to force John to baptize Him. He says, "Permit it"…then he allowed Him. John's message was about coming clean before God: repenting and being washed of your sins. When Jesus tells him "it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness," He was practically using John's words. It is always a sting when someone uses my words against me. I have no room to resist any longer. I have to own my words and live up to them or I have to repent for saying them. Here, John, knew Jesus was not lying. He was probably still wrapping his mind around the concept of Jesus needing to be baptized. What did He have to repent for? What did he need to be cleansed from?

I don't believe Jesus sinned. Therefore, He wasn't there to be baptized because He had to repent for His sins or cleansed from unrighteousness. He was there, because He was walking in 100% human flesh. He needed to submit to the Father's ways. He needed to demonstrate what the Father wanted. His baptism endorsed the mission God had given to John. Can't you see the advertisements now? A billboard 30 miles away, "Jesus baptized in the Jordan by John the Baptist."

I do not believe there were billboards. We can't deny that when word spread of Jesus being baptized by John, it validated John's ministry. When Jesus used John's words, by saying they had to fulfill all righteousness, he was stuck. He had to baptize Jesus. He would be in sin, working against God's will if he continued to refuse what Jesus was asking and what God had said they were to do. John didn't want to hear those words. His entire message was on repenting and living in righteousness. Now, he was at a crossroads. Even though he felt unworthy to baptize Jesus and wanted to be baptized by Him, when Jesus used his words against him, he had to come into alignment with the Father's will to demonstrate righteousness to all who were watching.

Father, there are times when the only time I will listen or back down from my stance is when someone uses my own words. If I do not sense and awakening, then I feel the sting. I am bothered my words have to be used against me in order for me to understand I am in the wrong, but I am thankful I stopped resisting what You want done in me and for me to do. I pray I would be listening clearly to Your word. I pray i would respond eagerly to do as You say. I pray I would follow through with what You have told me to do. You are faithful to speak to me through others. You will use other people to get my attention. I desire to live in the righteousness of Christ. I desire to walk in You ways. I honor You and submit to Your plan in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

Join together as Believers in Jesus Christ to pray and to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.