Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
Matthew 3:15 NIV
Matthew 3:13-17 offers a profound lesson on understanding God’s will. It highlights the crucial step of decisively obeying God. Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist demonstrates the power of doing all God requires, even when it seems counter-intuitive. His humble act set the stage for divine affirmation and the unfolding of God’s perfect plan.
Jesus travelled from Galilee to be baptised by John. John initially hesitated. He recognised Jesus as the Messiah. John felt he should be baptised by Jesus instead. Jesus, however, simply instructed, ‘Let it be so now.’ This act was proper to fulfil all righteousness (Matthew 3:15). In short, it was only right to do everything God required. This decision was not based on human opinion. Rather, it was an invitation into fulfilling God’s specific plan.
Immediately after Jesus’ baptism, the heavens opened. The Spirit of God descended upon Him like a dove. God’s voice affirmed Jesus as His beloved Son and declared His pleasure in Him (Matthew 3:16-17). This baptism was not merely symbolic. Instead, it was a necessary prerequisite for that divine affirmation. The opening of heaven and the Holy Spirit’s descent were intrinsically linked to Jesus’ obedience in this moment. Therefore, Jesus understood this baptism as crucial. It settled the matter before He could begin His ministry.
Obedience: The Key to God’s Fullness
Jesus’ instruction, ‘Let it be now,’ underscores immediate obedience. We must do what God requires in the present moment. Consequently, the ‘here and now’ supersedes past or future requirements. Despite His greatness, Jesus humbly performed all that God required of Him. Indeed, this commitment extended to every single requirement. It was not about superficial actions. Instead, it was about doing everything precisely as God desired. Jesus’ concern was to fulfil God’s will in every detail.
Heaven opened in direct response to Jesus’ obedient fulfilment. Perhaps heaven has not yet opened for some. This is not because God deliberately withholds blessings. Could it be that we are still holding back from doing all God requires? Such hesitation might hinder us from experiencing God’s plans. When we choose full obedience, God faithfully fulfils His part. This is not ritualistic action. Rather, it is a heartfelt response to God Himself.
To do everything as God desires, we must diligently seek His will. This applies to every aspect of our lives. We should not rely solely on human knowledge or reason for life’s challenges. Instead, all our actions should align with God’s way. This pursuit of God’s will must become the supreme priority of our hearts.
Living It Out
May God open our eyes to His perfect will. Let us seek full understanding of what God requires and how He desires it. May we receive the grace to carry out His will exactly as He intends. Then, we can live purposefully, glorifying Him in every step.