I CAN'T Baptize You
MY EMOTION
Father, The Way toward accomplishing goals, when given talents, has got to be to follow rather than lead, right?
Such a great talent/gift given to John the Baptist. Your sweet Spirit so kind, appearing as a Dove upon Jesus when John walked in this obedience. Oh the story so mighty, being asked to baptize the Son of God.
From his wilderness dwelling - to the impossible; calling people out for their sins. But to baptize Jesus... it appears he then identified with those he was baptizing; he also knew sin as a human. Baptizing them, as he watched their heart change, had to feel good at night when he laid his head down for sleep in the deep of his wilderness. Yet Jesus goes too far for John with this assignment/talent. John is asked to baptize the Son of God in which John freaks that he had not signed up for this!
Full of frustrations, anger, doubt, hope, faith, passion, brokenness, etc., John is singled out by Jesus Himself to fulfill scripture and make known Jesus' identity. Standing frozen in the middle of his calling, more than what John in all his humility could fathom, cries out as he exposes himself... "Jesus... I CAN'T! I'm not worthy!"
Father, The Way toward accomplishing goals, when given talents, has got to be to follow rather than lead, right?
Such a great talent/gift given to John the Baptist. Your sweet Spirit so kind, appearing as a Dove upon Jesus when John walked in this obedience. Oh the story so mighty, being asked to baptize the Son of God.
From his wilderness dwelling - to the impossible; calling people out for their sins. But to baptize Jesus... it appears he then identified with those he was baptizing; he also knew sin as a human. Baptizing them, as he watched their heart change, had to feel good at night when he laid his head down for sleep in the deep of his wilderness. Yet Jesus goes too far for John with this assignment/talent. John is asked to baptize the Son of God in which John freaks that he had not signed up for this!
Full of frustrations, anger, doubt, hope, faith, passion, brokenness, etc., John is singled out by Jesus Himself to fulfill scripture and make known Jesus' identity. Standing frozen in the middle of his calling, more than what John in all his humility could fathom, cries out as he exposes himself... "Jesus... I CAN'T! I'm not worthy!"
I can only imagine all the thoughts that went spiraling as
John is triggered by this request. The shock he had to handle. Maybe
he had become comfortable in calling out "Repent." Not that it was
easy but each day he knew the message to proclaim. I seemed to be okay with asking others to repent.
What was John thinking as he held Jesus with his own eyes? As he began the wonders of this obedient act, how did this feel? Did it all happen so fast that love took over which gave strength and courage to go beyond John's own fears? Jesus, the Son of God, asking John to preform obedience in spite of his character flaws, judgement of himself, position among people, in the wilderness and tagged as strange, John moves to do it.
What was John thinking as he held Jesus with his own eyes? As he began the wonders of this obedient act, how did this feel? Did it all happen so fast that love took over which gave strength and courage to go beyond John's own fears? Jesus, the Son of God, asking John to preform obedience in spite of his character flaws, judgement of himself, position among people, in the wilderness and tagged as strange, John moves to do it.
Then the visual.
The sound.
The revelation.
The fellowship.
Union...
IDENTITY!
Jesus is declared the Son of the most high God!
So how does this story relate to me? Well, I melt in gratitude that the writers of scripture so long ago who had such beautiful stories to tell, did not leave out the heart struggles. Emotions that came from reactions to follow the Son of God's instructions as He walked with them. Many times I've had this same reaction to Jesus as I hear within my heart His will (directions) for me while I work from a wilderness position. And exactly as John did... I say, "I CAN'T, I'm not worthy." John said he wasn't even worthy to untie Jesus' sandal. I get that! John was a strange character but honest. I feel like a failure, not worthy, lower class in my wilderness when Jesus ask, I often respond...
YOU WANT ME TO REVEAL YOUR IDENTITY?
Could baptism be so much more than water covering me in a one-time symbol I have accepted Jesus as my Savior (which I believe to be so). But we are asked daily to baptize Jesus. My own act of obedience to take Jesus, while I understand my sin nature and chaos of my wilderness, and watch as Jesus shines from my simple obedience. To watch and hear the thunder of Heaven declare Jesus as the Son of God. To release my judgement of myself and act in His will (obedience). To be amazed with all my world around me of the beauty I/we see from this kingdom come from my act to baptize and be baptize in this knowledge. To expose the true sinless One, His identity, the Son of God who had well pleased His Father.
HIS EMOTION
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Freedom releases the power to see while blind and hear while deaf. The wisdom in freedom is the gift/talent to walk according to My will. As long as day and night creates the expansion of My love, honor beautifies the body of Christ continually to His return. All Heaven and earth rejoices with celebration.
HIS EMOTION
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Freedom releases the power to see while blind and hear while deaf. The wisdom in freedom is the gift/talent to walk according to My will. As long as day and night creates the expansion of My love, honor beautifies the body of Christ continually to His return. All Heaven and earth rejoices with celebration.
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