Have you ever considered the humility of Jesus’s baptism?

Remember, John the Baptist preached a message of repentance for forgiveness of sins. Multitudes came out to John in the wilderness beyond Jerusalem, confessing their sins and being baptized in obedience to John’s message. Each person there knew that everyone who was being baptized was doing so in acknowledgment of their sin and need for forgiveness.

But what about Jesus? What sins did he need to confess? What wrong had he harbored in his heart? What secret acts lurk in the darkness of his history?

Of course, the answer is, none.

And yet he still submitted to baptism. Knowing that almost everyone around him would presume that he, like them, was guilty of sin, the Christ ignored their presumptions, allowing them to think whatever they wanted to think, and proceeded to do as God had instructed.

It is a wonderful example of humility! The Sinless One being baptized along with the prostitutes, thieves, greedy, covetous, gossipers, cheaters, muggers, and otherwise immoral!

Even when others may assign false motives to our actions, even when others may presume that we are doing something for nefarious reasons, it is not their judgment or suspicions that matter. What matters is the truth of what is in our hearts.

In true humility, we are set free from the expectations and interpretations that others might assign as long as we are focused on pleasing God and following Christ.


H. Arnett
7/23/24