Old Testament: Daniel 7,8
Poetry: Psalm 117
*New Testament: Matthew 3
As a parent, there have been many times that I beamed with pride at the accomplishments of my children. Proud that my preschool-age son could write and was learning how to spell using the “oo” digraph, I was simultaneously embarrassed when he covered his church bulletin in the crooked letters “POOP” and gave it to our youth leader, Chris Lucas, with a big smile of accomplishment plastered across his face. Though slightly red-faced at the nature of my son’s first penmanship successes, I am always thrilled when I see my children building on their strengths and recognizing their potential! When they finally master the algorithm for double-digit multiplication, earn accolades at their very first session of gymnastics, build intricate LEGO creations, seamlessly play a song on their instrument, stand up for what is right, encourage a hurting friend, or create a fun craft independently in Sunday School, pride for my children fills my spirit. This year, my husband and I celebrated with tears of joy as our two oldest children were baptized on Easter and Christmas, respectively. Their decisions to follow Jesus were balm to my soul because “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4).
In our New Testament reading today, we learn about the beginnings of baptism and God’s pride in His Son, Jesus. John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin – the baby who lept in the womb of his mother Elizabeth when Mary, mother of Jesus (who was still in utero, too), came to visit. We are familiar with Jesus’ virgin birth, but John came from a miraculous birth as well; his mother was well past child-bearing years when he was born as her first child. John had a public ministry to prepare the way for Jesus and was famous for introducing the concept of baptism (hence his nickname, “the Baptist”). John was a bit of an odd fellow: his attire was made from camel hair, and his most common sustenance while wandering in the desert was locusts smothered in honey. (Anyone else hungry for such a delicacy? Yum!) John was not fond of the Pharisees and made sure they knew it; you can read his reprimand to them in this passage.
Aware that his cousin was the Son of God, John almost refused to baptize Jesus due to feelings of inadequacy but finally consented when Jesus explained the significance of the event. When Jesus rose out of the water, God’s Spirit descended like a dove and everyone in attendance could hear His voice from Heaven: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17 NIV)
God’s pride and joy literally shone down as the world prepared for Jesus’ public ministry. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection would make a way for man to have a personal relationship with God again. I imagine God’s heart absolutely bubbling over with pride as he watched his Son fulfill his calling. To paraphrase a motif from Sally Lloyd Jones’ The Jesus Storybook Bible, Jesus was making the sad things come untrue; he was mending this broken world.
All of us have, at one time or another, felt pride in our own accomplishments or for the successes of those around us; how much more pride must God have felt, finally seeing His great rescue plan begin to come to fruition!
While the wrong kind of pride can be a dangerous thing that leads to sin, we can have a humble pride – satisfaction that we have done a job well, confidence in a God-given talent, etc. – and use those opportunities of success to give glory and praise to God.
Reflection questions:
-When have you felt pride in a confident, godly kind of way?
-How can you use your gifts to minister to others and shine the light of Jesus?
Rachel Cain
Seek Grow Love 