the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 3 of 5
Matthew 3:1-17
Just as an ambassador goes in advance of an important person, John the Baptist proclaims the imminent coming of the King. But this King could not take His place among a people who were indifferent to their sinful condition. The preaching of John is therefore a call to repentance. On the other hand, to the Pharisees and Sadducees who came for baptism in a spirit of self-righteousness, he announces judgment.
We can well understand that John was embarrassed when the One whose shoes he was not worthy to unloose presented Himself in His turn for baptism by him. But in v. 15 we hear the first words spoken by the Lord Jesus in this gospel: "Suffer it to be so now . . ." Man had only learnt to do evil; now it was time for God to act in Christ and "to fulfil all righteousness" (Romans 10:3). "Then he suffered him", it is said of John. Is it not always in our own best interest, too, to let the Saviour have His way?
The Lord Jesus goes up straightway from the water, for He Himself has nothing to confess. And lo! the heavens open to render twofold testimony to Him: the Holy Spirit descends on Him like the anointing oil which formerly marked out the king (cf. 1 Samuel 16:13). At the same time He receives from His Father a wonderful message of love and approval.
