January 3 - Testimony to Jesus' Sinlessness - Devotional

GracetoYou.org ^ | 2008 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

“John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?’” (Matthew 3:14).

John the Baptist’s initial reluctance to baptize Jesus is a testimony to Jesus’ sinlessness—and John’s awareness of his own sinfulness.

In effect, John said to Jesus, “I’m a sinner, just like everyone else I baptize, so why should You, the sinless Son of God, want me to baptize You?” In an indirect yet definite fashion, John agreed with the later description of Christ by the writer of Hebrews, “One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (4:15).

Jesus Himself testified to His perfect righteousness and His reason for wanting to be baptized, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3:15). Jesus’ words did not deny His superiority to John the Baptist or His sinlessness. “Permit it at this time” is an idiomatic expression meaning that Christ’s baptism, though seemingly not appropriate or necessary, was actually appropriate for this special time.

The Lord understood John’s strong hesitation, and knew it came from deep spiritual commitment and sincerity. Thus He gave John divine permission to do what he was otherwise reluctant to do, so he could perfectly fulfill the Father’s plan.

Ask Yourself

How do you think you would have reacted to Jesus’ request for baptism?

How do you react today when you’re in His presence, in awe of His holiness and purity?

Pray for the spiritual understanding to know that by His grace, He has washed this same righteousness over you.

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From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.

[metmom]

Studying God’s Word ping

[Jim W N]

- “He did no sin” (1 Peter 2:22),

- “He knew no sin” (1 Cor. 5:21),

- “in Him there was no sin” (1 John 3:5).

[metmom]

That is staggering when you really stop to think about it.

He lived His whole life here on earth and never sinned even once.

[Jim W N]

“With man it is impossible, but with God (Jesus), all things are possible.”

[Campion]

That really shouldn't be too staggering. He has the divine will and a human will, but his human will is perfected and always completely in agreement with the divine will. The divine will, by definition, cannot sin. (Sin is transgressing the divine will; it's nonsensical to talk about a will transgressing itself.)

We will similarly have a perfected human will in perfect sync with the divine will, when we're in heaven.

The Cliffnotes version: Jesus is God. It's self-contradictory to think of God committing sin.

[metmom]

Nevertheless, I know how hard it is to not sin, or to try to not sin.

Heck, even Adam and Eve, in their perfect environment sinned.

[MurphsLaw]

To add for some thought,
Scott Hahn's take on the Anointing is that it is less of a "Baptism" of Christ by John the Baptist (albeit St. John does write that the Baptist "was sent by God"- so that fact is always worth remembering) though, moreover, is scripture that is intended to re-present God's Will for Us to go "through the Jordan" to lead us in a "New Exodus" as well, as it was for the Israelites.

In doing so, Christ is opening up a Promised land, for ALL of us, no longer just reserved for the Israelites- confirming that each of us is a son or daughter of God made for Salvation.

The Church sets up this liturgy nicely, as we had just read on Sunday how with the "Gentile" Magi revealing God's Will in the Newborn - being sent a star, so they can come for All people- making us "Co-heirs" in what was already promised to Israel.

May be symbolism, or may just be God's way of showing us how to obtain that inheritance...

[Mean Daddy]

I sin 5 minutes after a confession.