Matthew 3:15

Scripture: Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now:for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. The he suffered him.

Observation: This is the part of the book of Matthew is where Jesus Christ comes to John the Baptist requesting a baptism in the Jordan river. It's one of those scriptures that give people a minute of confusion here and there - John was baptizing for the repentance of sins... right? Right. (Matthew 3:6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.) But Jesus never sinned... right? Right again. (Hebrews 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.)  Then why would Jesus need to be baptized? Because it set the example for believers to follow. Jesus Christ didn't get baptized for salvation... He got baptized to "fulfill all righteousness." He set the standard of obedience based baptism. In our current time, as New Testament Christians, we get baptized as an act of obedience. It is a public profession the we have received the gift of salvation and that we are dedicating ourselves to a life of obedience to Christ. That is the example that Jesus was setting - choosing to live righteously.

Application: There are so many things that I do not claim to understand about the bible... but there is one thing that I know to be true, and I can base my whole life on that one fact... The bible is true - every last letter and punctuation mark. I know that getting baptized has nothing to to with getting to heaven, because if it did, Jesus wouldn't have needed or wanted to do it. He did it, because it would leave the example for all those that follow Him. I know that salvation is a gift, and that there isn't a single thing that I can or need to do to earn it. The bible says it is the gift of God, not of works. I know that no matter what I am faced with in life, the bible will have the answer. And even though I don't understand it all right now... I can always ask the Author... and He will show me what I need to know. I have dedicated my life to living for Christ in any way the He asks of me. I have promised that I will always try to do my best for Him. In honesty, I fail Him daily... and I am so thankful that it is not my own righteousness that God looks at, but at the righteousness of Jesus Christ, who's blood covers me. And I am thankful that Jesus left the example for me to follow. And I am choosing to live righteously... to be as much like Jesus as I can.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I can never thank You enough for what You have done in my life, nor for what I know you are going to do. Lord, I am especially thankful that I can trust in Your words to guide me. Thank You for the example Jesus left for me to follow, please help me to always look to Him for the patten for my life. I do ask Lord, that each day, as I walk through this world, that you would guide my steps and that you would help me to choose those things which are righteous, and to turn away from those things which are not. Please help me to live a life that is wholly dedicated to You. In Jesus name, Amen.