If I had to sum up chapters 3 and 4 in one word, that word would be submission. The idea of submitting, specifically submitting to God, is a common thread that is woven throughout these two chapters.
Chapter 3 opens with John's call to repentance; this is the same message with which Jesus begins his ministry in chapter 4. Lots can be said about repentance--what it is, what it means, who, what, how, etc. In very simple terms, repentance is all about sacrificing human ways and desires in favor of God's ways and desires. It is about submitting to the ways of God. When God calls us to repentance, the intention is for us to do a complete 180 and go in the opposite direction. In other words, repentance is about re-evaluating our ways in light of God's ways.
The Sacrament of Baptism is a visible act of human submission to God. I am aware that baptism is one of those controversial topics among Christians--we do not all agree on how baptism should be done, when someone should/can be baptized, etc. Regardless of our disagreements, though, baptism remains a human act of submitting to God. Often times, baptism is looked up as a cleansing away of sins; while this is very true, I don't think baptism is just a cleansing. If it were, there would be no need for Jesus, the sinless One, to be baptized. Why Jesus even came to be baptized has been a question many have asked, including John. I have to think that Jesus was baptized as an act of submitting to God, his heavenly Father. Deep down, I don't believe Jesus really needed to be baptized; however, he recieved baptism in humble submission to God's call.
As if that submission weren't enough, we are told that after Jesus was baptized he was led by the Spirit to face a time of temptation. Jesus' tempations were also a time of him submitting to God over human desires. If we look at the three temptations Matthew describes, they could accurately describe many human temptations: the temptation to be self-sufficient rather than trust God's providence, the temptation to be in power and control rather than relinquish that to God. All of Jesus' resistance to these temptations were his way of not submitting to his own human desires or needs but looking to God and allowing God to be in control.
As chapter 4 closes, we see Jesus calling his first disciples. I do not believe it ironic that their first act is to submit to Jesus' invitation to "follow me" and to leave behind their livlihood. Most likely, they had no idea what they were getting themselvs into--yet they submitted anyway to this invitation.
In what areas of life is God inviting you to submit to God's plan and purposes? In what areas of life might God be calling you to repent and re-evaluate? It is a difficult task to submit to someone else and allow them to be our guide. May the Spirit guide us and comfort us as we surrender ourselves and all that we are to the will and glory of God!
"the temptation to be self-sufficient rather than trust God's providence" -- I have recently found this to be so very true! I have mostly lived by the motto, "If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself." I have come to realize that is NOT the case! If you want something done right, submit to God and let HIM work out the details. In the words of a Casting Crowns song, "Maybe we just need to get out of the way!"
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jarrett!