“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:13-17 NKJV
Hello,
In the verses above from Matthew 3, I saw something today. John was ready to do the right thing, honor Jesus. However, Jesus was doing the righteous thing, honoring God. Jesus was righteousness, John was doing right. Later on, John, still not understanding, asked from his cell if they were expecting another messiah? He didn’t understand how he could be in a prison cell, and the one he had been waiting all his life for, seemed to have left him there. I understand better what Jesus was saying in Matthew 11:11, that John was a profound man, but he was nowhere on the hierarchy of the kingdom.
“For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” Luke 2:30-32 NKJV
Simeon said that he was ready to die since he had seen the salvation of the Lord. He wasn’t just talking about the baby Jesus. I believe that God had opened his eyes to plans laid out in scripture, and Jesus was the fulfillment of those plans.
- Salvation made available for all peoples
- Light to bring revelation to the gentiles – (spiritual enlightenment)
- The glory of Israel
Simeon was ready to go home, happily, because he knew that God’s plans would be fulfilled. It wasn’t about him, it was about the fulfillment of God’s promises, which he was sure Jesus had been born for. This understanding does take revelation.
I dare say that until God opens our eyes to the reality of our salvation, we will continue to be tossed and turned by life and etc. The spiritual blessings bestowed upon us in Christ have made us sons of God, and the grace and mercy that comes with being in God’s presence cannot be defined by the physical mind. It sets us up and above in life. I believe that there is much for each individual in Christ to access. Gifts in each name, to help with calling and the life here on earth. How many of us seek to obtain, to understand, and know, to live the righteous life in Christ?
Jesus died to save me so that I can thrive, not just survive. However, to succeed, I need to understand the hope of my calling. God forbid that I live on earth and die without accessing the riches of His grace stored up for me; without knowing the power that was always available to me. What a waste.
He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. II Corinthians 6:2 NKJV
If the above verse is true, are we living out the reality of our salvation?
Till next time, be transformed!!
Transformation Place 