“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6
A young father holds his baby in his arms and talks to him about his plans for their future together and his hopes and dreams for his child.
He promises, “We’ll play together and work together. I’ll teach you how to ride a bike, throw a football, and use a saw. Together we’ll change the oil in the car and plant a garden. I’ll pray with you and for you. And when I’m disciplining you and forgiving you, listening to you and loving you, I pray that you will see in me the unconditional love that God has for you.
“And when we go to church together, I pray that my faith and love for God will be unmistakable in the way I sing and pray, in the look on my face and the joy in my voice. And I pray that you’ll take that faith with you, as you go off to college and move out on your own, as you become a teacher or pastor, an engineer or doctor, as, Lord-willing, you raise a family of your own. I’ve got big plans, big dreams, for you, my child.”
Before he sent Jesus into the world, God the Father told his Son about the big plans he had for him. He would restore the tribes of Jacob and bring Israel back to God. But he would also be a light for non-Jewish people and bring salvation to the ends of the earth. Only Jesus could carry out these plans. And he did so perfectly.
Many today try to make Jesus into a Savior just for some. But God had bigger plans for him. He came to be the Savior for all. He came to be my Savior and yours. Jesus lived as the perfect Son for all people so that God will count you and me as his forgiven children forever.
What big plans! What a perfect Savior!
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for carrying out God’s plan to be my Savior. Amen.
In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and described his dream. He said:
“It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.”
“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’”
“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood . . .”
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
“I have a dream today.”
The world that King imagined was a far cry from the world in which he was living. It would not come easily. How discouraged he must have felt sometimes. How often he must have felt like giving up. But he pressed on. And history changed, as it followed his dream.
The Lord had a dream too. He envisioned his Son coming to be the Savior for all people.
That dream didn’t happen without a struggle. Jesus’ own people rejected him. The ones he came to save turned against him. It seemed like no one was listening, like every word he spoke fell on deaf ears. They mocked him, abused him, and put him to death.
We are no better, are we? We let our own dreams get in the way of his plans for us. We let the noise of this world drown out his loving voice that calls us to follow him and offers us real life. We receive his forgiveness and go right back to sinning.
“What’s the use?” Jesus might wonder. “Why bother? I should just give up.”
But Jesus pressed on and fulfilled his Father’s dream. He accomplished his mission of love for us. He defeated the devil. He carried our sins to his cross and buried them in his tomb. He opened up heaven for you and me.
Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for not giving up on God’s dream for me. Amen.
We prepare ourselves to worship the one Savior God by expressing our humble repentance, offering our fervent prayers and singing our thankful hymns of praise.
OPENING HYMN533I Love Your Kingdom, Lord
Please stand
CONFESSION OF SINShymnal page 38
We confess to God that we have failed to live up to the perfect standards in his law, and we plead for his mercy.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FORGIVENESShymnal page 38
The pastor announces the forgiveness of sins won for us by the perfect life and innocent sufferings and death of Jesus, our Savior.
OH TASTE AND SEEhymnal page 39
This paraphrase of Psalm 34:8 reminds us of how sweet the good news of salvation is for Christians. Those who take refuge in Jesus, our Good Shepherd, are blessed.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: Almighty God, you gave your one and only Son to be the light of the world. Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and believed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever.
C: ♫ Amen.
Please be seated for the day’s Scripture readings
✠T H E W O R D ✠
The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONIsaiah 49:1-6
Summary: The Savior of all shines his light and shows his love to all, both Jew and Gentile
Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.” But I said, “I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the LORD’s hand, and my reward is with my God.”
And now the LORD says– he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength– he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”
Summary: God has made us his own children through faith in Jesus Christ, the Savior of all
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ– their Lord and ours:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way– in all your speaking and in all your knowledge– because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
VERSE OF THE DAYIsaiah 49:3
Alleluia. He said to me, “You are my servant in whom I will display my splendor.” Alleluia.
C:♫ Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! These words are written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Please stand
GOSPEL LESSONJohn 1:29-41
Summary: “Look, the Lamb of God….We have found the Messiah!”
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, `A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, `The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.”
The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
They said, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”
“Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”
So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).
C:♫ Praise be to you, O Christ!
Please be seated
HYMN OF THE DAY 27O Jesus, Lamb of God, You Are
SERMONby Pastor Dolan1 Corinthians 1: 1-9
“Thank God For What!”
Please stand
APOSTLES’ CREED hymnal page 41
Please be seated
✠ O F F E R I N G S O F G I F T S & P R A Y E R S ✠
THE OFFERING& WELS CONNECTION DVD
The ushers now gather the “Thank-Offering.” Members of this congregation show their thanks to God for all he has done for them by returning a portion of their income to the Lord. Through these free will offerings, this congregation and its ministries are maintained. Guests need not feel obligated to contribute. Please also sign our Friendship Registers and greet one another.
PRAYERS
The Offering Prayer, Prayer for the Epiphany Season (hymnal p. 124, read responsively) and Intercessory Prayers are spoken by pastor. Please see announcements for those on our Intercessory Prayers list.
Please stand
LORD’S PRAYERhymnal page 43
Please be seated
HYMN 538: 1-3The Church’s One Foundation
Please stand
CLOSING PRAYER & BLESSING hymnal page 43, 44
Please be seated
CLOSING HYMN538: 4-5The Church’s One Foundation
As you leave today’s service, please give your completed Friendship Register sheet to an usher or pastor.
Announcements
Activities for the week of January 19 – January 25
Sun.
8:00 A.M.
Emmanuel Worship
8:30 A.M.
St. John’s Sunday School
9:00 A.M.
Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
10:00 A.M.
St. John’s Worship
Mon.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
6:30 P.M.
Choir at St. John’s
7:30 P.M.
Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
Little Lambs Parent Teacher Conferences
Tues.
6:30 P.M.
Men’s Bible Study at St. John’s
Little Lambs Parent Teacher Conferences
Wed.
8:00 A.M.
St. John’s School Chapel
10:00 A.M.
Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
1:40 P.M.
St. John’s School & Little Lambs early release
2:15 P.M.
Public School Teen Confirmation at St. John’s
4:00 P.M.
St. John’s School Faculty meeting
6:30 P.M.
St. John’s Worship
6:30 P.M.
Women’s Bible Study at St. John’s
Little Lambs Parent Teacher Conferences
Thurs.
8:00 A.M.
St. John’s School Teen Confirmation
6:00 P.M.
Griefshare at St. John’s lower level begins (week 2)
6:00 P.M.
Joint Council meeting at St. John’s
7:00 P.M.
Council meeting at St. John’s
Little Lambs Parent Teacher Conferences
Fri.
Little Lambs Parent Teacher Conferences
Sat.
Theme for Next Sunday January 26 , 2020“Christ–the Light in the Darkness” (Sanctity of Human Life Sunday)
8:00 A.M.
Emmanuel Worship
8:30 A.M.
St. John’s Sunday School
9:00 A.M.
Emmanuel Council meeting
9:00 A.M.
St. John’s Adult Bible Study
10:00 A.M.
St. John’s Worship with communion
12:00 P.M.
WLA Let’s Celebrate
INTERCESSORY PRAYERS – For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: Wyatt Beahm (William and Alyssa Beahm’s infant son), Pastor Raymond Cox (Marjorie Fabian’s brother), Gene Crook, Liola Crown & son Terry, Agnes Dassow, Don Ebert, Reinold Eckelberg, Diane Eisermann, Harold Fandrey, Lilah Farrell, Roger Hillmer, Xzander Jahr, Melvin Johnson (Beth’s son), Cathy Kolpanen (relative of Tim & Patty Schultz), Chris Krause (Gordy and Linda’s son), Robert Lederer (Jackie and Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Delvin Mittelsteadt, Steve Parrish, Frank Russell, Kathryn Sigrist (Pastor Gary & Orlene Johnson’s daughter), Doris Smith, Jennifer Strauss, Marvis Wegner, Richard Winkler – (added this week: Diane Eisermann, Frank Russell)
– For the family of Peggy Russell (Elsa’s daughter-in-law) called home on Tuesday (1/14)
– For the family of Caroline McCabe (Wilma Jaster’s sister-in-law) called home on Wednesday (1/15)
– For our nation
LADIES AND MEN’S BIBLE STUDY Women’s onWednesday evenings at 6:30PM, men’s on Tuesdays at 6:30PM. Come study a series of topics: Past Lessons = Present Peace = Future Hope, Basic Bible Stories for Faith and Life led by Pastor John Dolan and Ms. Rachel Naumann.
OFFERING STATEMENT SIGN UP The sign up for your 2019 offering statement is located in St. John’s link way. Please sign up if you wish to receive yours.
2020 OFFERING ENVELOPES Please pick up your 2020 offering envelopes in St. John’s link way today! Don’t have any? Call the office 297-2866 and Ciara will gladly help you out.
GRIEFSHARE The next 13-week session has begun. Please join us for week #3 in St. John’s lower level on Thursday at 6:30pm. Questions or concerns? Please call Mark Emond (608) 697-1600.
ACH What is ACH? Automated Clearing House. Interested in having your church offering automatically deposited? Stop by the office or Information Room and fill out your application today.
SAVE THE DATE Sunday, February 9 after worship at Emmanuel and St. John’s – Little Lambs and St. John’s Ev. Lutheran School Information meeting.
MEDITATIONS & FORWARD IN CHRIST New “Meditations” and “Forward in Christ” WELS daily devotional booklets and WELS monthly devotional magazine are available in the church Informational Room.Help yourself!
MEMBERSHIP CLASS This week we completed our 20-lesson Bible Information Class entitled “New Life In Christ” with John Kaenel and Josh & Rachel Pekowsky. I am ready to start a new class Wednesday’s at 7:30pm or whatever time fits your schedule. If you or someone you know is interested in membership, please phone or text me at 608-408-7830. –Pastor Zietlow
LUTHER PREP SCHOOL-WATERTOWN AUCTION GALA Donations of new items are currently being accepted for the Luther Prep Auction Gala to be held on Saturday, April 18. If you have something to share it can be brought to the Mission Advancement office anytime during the LPS school day. Ideas would include – gift cards for national chains (gas/dining), pair of tickets to an event, and specialty type gift. Another idea is to get some members together and sponsor a “”Congregational Basket”.” If you cannot attend the Gala in person this would be a great way to show support! Monetary donations can be made online:
Deadline for donations is February 24. Questions? Contact Sue at 920-262-8104.
Your support benefits future pastors, teachers, and lay leaders.
ART FOR DINNER:Saturday, February 22nd at 5:00pm.
Tickets are on sale! This year, we are fundraising for a school security system. Join us for a night of fellowship, dinner and a silent auction of the children’s art projects.
A few things to think about:
Complete informational packets were sent home with each family earlier this week.
Tickets are $25 each, a free hot dog meal is available for kids 13 years and under.
If there is anyone that would like to help with art projects, set up, all the above… please feel free to contact: Megan Jaster- 608-369-3456 mj.jastersag@outlook.com or Ciara Neuhauser 608-369-0901 ciaraneuhauser24@gmail.com.
Need more tickets or don’t have someone to buy them from? Stop by the office today!
SAVE YOUR PLASTIC BOTTLE CAPSPlease save your plastic bottle caps and turn them in to the office. Art for Dinner is saving for a project. Any and all sizes and colors! Thank you!
MEMBERS OF ST. JOHNS AND SCHOOL FAMILIES This past summer the St. Johns council authorized the borrowing of $10,000 from the church’s line of credit to replace and refurbish the school boilers. As some may be aware, there have been a number of issues from the last couple years keeping the boilers running and the school heated and it could no longer be repaired. This project was completed late last fall. This also means that the church officially is borrowing money from its line of credit. If you wish to donate to help paying off the loan, please go ahead and do so. Any amount would be greatly appreciated. Look to the information room for where this project is at with regards to being paid off and where the other projects on the board are at with funding. (many thanks to our generous members for donating!)
WELS NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LUTHERAN LEADERSHIP WELS Congregational Services will host the first WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership at the Sheraton Grand in Chicago, Ill., Jan. 21-23. The conference will have five keynote presentations that deal with major cultural challenges before every WELS congregation. Twenty-five breakout sessions will deal with issues specific to certain congregations, including overcoming a consumer mentality in church, Christian apologetics, increasing volunteerism, retaining and gaining young members, fully utilizing the gifts of women in ministry, equipping members for personal evangelism, having a “high-expectations” church, strategic planning, using social media for outreach, operating a financially sustainable elementary school, and more. Learn more at register at lutheranleadership.com.
LET’S CELEBRATE Our school has been invited to participate in the WLA Let’s Celebrate Day on Sunday, Jan. 26. This day focuses on the blessings of Christian education, and we have the opportunity to showcase our school as well as support the WLA Federation. Three of the federation grade schools will be providing entertainment, while WLA bands and choirs will also be performing. We will be singing a couple songs to provide about 15 minutes of entertainment. We are asking all K-8 families to join us for this exciting day. Please respond to let us know that we can plan on your children attending. The entertainment portion of the day goes from about noon to 3:00. There will be many other activities going on throughout the school that day, so it gives you a good opportunity to become familiar with the school. Please note that we are also singing in church here at St. John’s that morning. Again, please let your teacher know that you can attend. Thank you!
Pies and tortes needed . . . lots of them! The WLA Boys Basketball team is off to a great start to their season. As a gesture of fan appreciation they will again be serving pie and ice cream this year at Let’s Celebrate. Would you be willing to make the pies or tortes? If so, plan on delivering your dessert to WLA Saturday, January 25th or Sunday morning, January 26th. Contact Jessi Schwartz jessi@fonddulaclaw.com or Jenny Nell at JennyNell13@yahoo.com with any questions, comments or concerns. THANK YOU!
Attendance
Emmanuel
St. John’s
1-12 1-15
60
109 2
St. John’s Altar CommitteeJanuary 2020
Elaine Kelm&Carolyn Rosenthal
January 19
Emm Darrell Buchholz, Jim Stuempges, Joe Heller
SJ Kenon Smith; Chief, Corey Kaul, Ken Borzick, Paul Van Treeck,
Haiden Van Treeck
January 26
Emm DuWayne Sommerfeld, Noah Buchholz, Gary Wegner
SJ James Wachholz ; Chief, James Henke, Matt Borzick, Nolan Van Treeck,
Martin Schmanke
February 2
Emm Darrell Buchholz, Bruce Stelter, Brian Ninnemann,
comm. assist. Lucas Stelter
SJ Don Smith ; Chief, Aaron Kendall, Chuck Boetcher, Jim Eisermann,
Jerre Duerr
February 9
Emm DuWayne Sommerfeld, Paul Wuerch, Paul Dahlke
SJ Kenon Smith ; Chief, Joe Zauner Sr., Joe Zauner Jr., Jon Vote, Joe Vote
The rear half of a truck sat on the bridge. Eventually, divers found the front half, along with the rest of the bridge. They never found the driver. The mighty waves of Hurricane Ivan that had tossed concrete spans around like dominos, swallowed his body forever.
What possessed this driver to cross a 3-mile bridge in the middle of a category 4 hurricane? Maybe his wife was waiting for him in Pensacola. Maybe, in the darkness, he thought it wasn’t all that bad. He obviously thought he could make it. He didn’t realize on this bridge, in this storm, he was driving into the shadow of death.
What possesses me to think I can make it through this life without Jesus? On this earth, in this life, I am living in the shadow of death. Death that is more than a stilled heart. Death that is a stilled soul—empty, alone, constantly trying to convince myself, “I’m OK. I’ll make it!”
I’m not okay and I’m not safe. The darkness hides the waves of sin that swallow me. I won’t make it!
Then Jesus shines his light into my death-dark heart. With brilliant love, he turns my eyes to his cross. I see forgiveness there. He runs my eyes over his life. I see perfection there. He focuses my eyes on his heart. I see my God gifting me with both—Jesus’ forgiveness and Jesus’ perfection. He lifts my head up to heaven. I see his arm bending around my shoulders as he welcomes me into an eternity of life and light.
I will make it home.
Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, shine the light of your love into my heart so I always know your forgiveness and your goodness are mine. Amen.
After being caught pushing his sister, does the naughty boy approach his parents with confidence? No, normally he hides under the covers. After the parents come home early and discover the unsanctioned party, does the teenage daughter feel at ease talking to her dad? No, normally she avoids him as much as possible.
If sinful children avoid approaching their sinful parents when they are confronted with guilt, how can it ever be possible for sinful humans to approach a perfect God? There is only one way: it is only possible in Jesus. When we trust Jesus as our perfect substitute, we trust that his life counts for ours. We believe that our sins have been paid for on the blood-stained cross. In faith, we believe that God no longer holds them against us.
We can approach God in freedom and confidence. We don’t have to hide from him; we don’t need to avoid him; we are not afraid that he will punish us for our sins…for he has already punished Christ for them instead.
What a blessing to approach God in freedom and confidence!
Prayer:
Dear Father, thank you for washing away everything that convicts me of wrong. Fill me with your thorough forgiveness that I might cling to Christ instead of running from you. Give me joy that I might make the most of the privilege to approach you in freedom and confidence. Amen.
Have you ever been in a situation where favoritism was at play? It’s hard, isn’t it? When favoritism works against us, the protestations are quick and real: “But I’m more qualified!” “I have more experience!” “She’s never even done that before!” No, we certainly do not like favoritism.
How wonderful it is, then, to hear the words of our Bible reading for today. The Apostle Peter declared that God does not show favoritism. Peter had been under the impression that his own people, the Jewish people, were the ones God loved. But God brought Peter into contact with a non-Jewish man named Cornelius who had been brought to faith in the true God. This showed Peter that God loves all people. He does not show favoritism. Once Peter discovered this, he told Cornelius and his family about what Jesus had done to save people from their sins. And, he ordered that they be baptized.
Baptism is one of the clearest illustrations of God’s unwillingness to play favorites. Because, you see, we all need baptism. It doesn’t matter how rich or poor we are, it doesn’t matter what skin color we are, it doesn’t matter how powerful we are, it doesn’t matter if our upbringing was happy or not so happy; every single one of us needs baptism. Why? Every single one of us needs to have our sins forgiven.
And in baptism, that is exactly what God does. He washes sins away. And, it doesn’t matter how rich or poor a person is, or what skin color a person is, how powerful a person is, or if a person’s upbringing was happy or not so happy; every single person who is baptized receives God’s unconditional forgiveness.
What a blessing baptism is! And what a reminder that our God does not play favorites.
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for reminding me today that you do not play favorites. Amen.
Is the desire to please our parents built into us from birth? It seems to me that it is. Sure, that desire may be blunted or even destroyed by parents who treat their children poorly. But I’d guess for most of us, hearing our father or mother say, “I am pleased with you” would be welcome words.
Wouldn’t it be far, far better if God were to say that about you? Wouldn’t it be amazing if God were to say, “I’m well pleased with you?” Wow, that would be great!
This is precisely what the Father said about Jesus at Jesus’ baptism. He was well pleased with everything Jesus said and did. And, remarkably, this is precisely what the Father says about those who have been baptized. Not because everything they say and do is pleasing to him. But because everything Jesus said and did is applied to those who are baptized.
“But, but, but!” we sputter. “I’ve messed it up so badly!” Unfortunately, that’s true.
But God doesn’t look at us based on what we have done but based on what Jesus did in our place. That almighty, perfect heavenly Father can now look at us as if we were Jesus. Or to put it a bit differently, the Father can look at each of us and say, “You are my beloved child, too.”
Prayer:
O Father, assure me and remind me that, through my baptism, I am your beloved child. Amen.
As 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 alighting on him. Matthew 3:16
Today’s Bible reading is one of the clearest narratives in which we get to see the threeness of God.
It’s true that there is one God, and only one God. The Bible also describes the true God as “three.” Jesus commands us to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Mt 28:19). There are passages which call the Father, “God,” which call the Son, “God,” and which call the Holy Spirit, “God.” So while there is only one God, there are three persons in the God-head, and this is one of the segments in which we see it clearly: the Father is speaking from heaven, the Son is coming up out of the water, and the Holy Spirit is descending in the form of a dove.
And why should we care? We care because this assures us of an amazing truth; it’s the entire God who wants you to be saved. Clearly, Jesus wants you to be saved. He lived and died for you! He was willing to be baptized to fulfill God’s holy law for you. But the Father also wants you to be saved. He said he was pleased when Jesus was baptized. And the Holy Spirit wants you to be saved. He descended upon Jesus to empower him to do what he needed to do.
And all of this gives us wonderful assurance. The Father wants me in heaven, the Son wants me in heaven, and the Holy Spirit wants me in heaven. Jesus’ baptism clearly shows me that.
Prayer:
O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit continue to assure me that you desire my salvation and continue to strengthen me that I might continue to travel on the road to eternal life. Amen.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. Matthew 3:13-15
The Bible tells us that Jesus went to the Jordan River to be baptized. But why did Jesus even need to be baptized? It’s a fair question. After all, baptism is one of the ways that God forgives sin. That’s why each of us needs baptism. We are all sinful and need forgiveness.
But Jesus wasn’t sinful. Jesus was perfect. So, why did he need to be baptized?
The answer is in Jesus’ answer to John: “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”
Jesus was righteous; he didn’t need any more righteousness. But we needed righteousness because righteousness is the entrance requirement for heaven. God demands that for us to be able to enter heaven, we need to be perfect.
And … we can’t do that.
So, we needed a Savior who would not only die in our place but also live in our place. We needed a Savior who could live a perfect human life, in every sense. And, Jesus did that. His baptism was a part of it. It was a part of his fulfilling God’s law for us.
Jesus fully stepped into your place. He was even willing to do things that he didn’t need to do, all so that you could be fully confident that he had done all that he needed to do for you. He did what was necessary for your salvation. The measure of righteousness you needed was filled up…by Jesus!
So, as you are reminded of Jesus’ baptism today, see there your salvation. And rejoice!
Prayer:
O Savior, assure me that I now stand before you as righteous, because of all that you’ve done for me. Amen.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Matthew 3:13,14
You can understand why John the Baptist was hesitant to baptize Jesus, can’t you? He was going to baptize Jesus? That seems oh-so-backward, doesn’t it? Consider the contrast: John was mortal; Jesus was immortal. John knew a few things; Jesus knew everything. Perhaps most importantly, John was a sinful human being; Jesus was perfect.
And so, yes, we can understand why John tried to deter Jesus. Jesus’ plan just didn’t make any sense to John. So, John thought he needed to deter Jesus because John thought he had a better idea!
Wait. A sinful human being thought that he had a better idea than God? Really? Yes, really!
And, how easy it is for us to do it, too. How easy it is to question God’s plans for our lives. Or, how easily we think or act in ways which are contrary to God’s Word, which is really saying, “No, Lord, I have a better idea.”
Amazingly, Jesus didn’t get angry at John or even chastise John. Instead, Jesus simply, said, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). What patient grace!
And God will always show that amazing, patient grace to you, too—over and over again.
Oh, and by the way; you can also count on the fact that God’s ideas will always be better than your ideas!
Prayer:
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. Please show me your patient grace, O Savior, even when I question You. Amen.
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