“Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan, coming to John to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have the need to be baptized by You, and yet You are coming to me?” (Matthew 3:13-14)
All authority in heaven and on earth belongs to the Lord. But Jesus comes to be baptized with a baptism of repentance. Why? It is the really bad man who needs to repent, but he does not know it. It takes a perfect man to repent perfectly, but then, a perfect man would not need to repent. Jesus undergoes the baptism of repentance we all need but are unable to do. He begins saving us in the beginning by doing for us that which we cannot do.
Lord, I too need to confess that I am in bondage to sin and cannot free myself. I too need Your grace and mercy to be freed from my sins in order to become a child of God. I need what only You can give me. Help me to see that this faith You have given me is not some once and done thing, but a matter that will take the whole of this life.
My Lord and Savior, You have come into this world to accomplish all that the Father has purposed. All that any of us needs to know, You have given so that we might follow You as You make of us what You will. Help me to humbly submit to You, the author and finisher of my faith, so that I may go where You lead as You bring me fully into repentance and forgiveness. Amen.
