May 22 - Just Like Jesus

Read Matthew 3:13-17

Context: Continuation from yesterday

Text:
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Several years ago I attended the Bat Mitzvah of my daughters' friend. It was held during the Feast of Tabernacles and we were able to sit in on a Jewish synagogue service. The rabbi shared the history and traditions of the festival, then our friend read from the Torah in Hebrew.

As I sat there I was overwhelmed with a sense that Jesus had read those same words when he had turned 13. He celebrated many Feasts of the Tabernacle, and he sat through similar services (without the padded seats I imagine). It was amazing to realize that I was actually experiencing something that Jesus had experienced.

Baptism gives each of us a chance to do exactly what our Lord and Savior did. Early in my Christian life I was really hesitant to be submerged...couldn't I just be sprinkled? It's the intent of the act, not the act itself that's important, right? But that was just my ever present self fighting against a blessing God wanted me to have. By being immersed, we demonstrate our obedience and we have the opportunity to have a shared experience with Christ!