A Humbling Relationship

This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”   Matthew 3:3

Today's Reading:  Matthew Chapter 3

Did John the Baptist ever pause in the midst of his ministry and say, really God, really you want me to be the one preparing the way for the coming Messiah? Did he ever feel overwhelmed by this task or did he just do what he was asked to do? We read about John preaching and telling everyone to “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” and I sense that John was unconcerned about his attire or what his next meal would consist of, but there had to be a time of quiet for him to be with God. I just think that John undoubtedly had a deeply devoted personal relationship with God and he had to have moments that he would be alone with God in order to build this relationship. How deep is my relationship with Jesus? Do I have enough alone time with God or do I allow my hectic schedule to limit my much needed time with God? I have heard my entire life that I should have a personal relationship with Jesus, but I never really understood that until just a few years ago. I honestly thought I had a good relationship with Jesus, but it was not until I went through an extremely difficult time in my life that I come to truly understand what a personal relationship really is. Until I had no other option than to depend on Jesus did I truly come to know Him. Our relationship with Christ can only be built by spending time with Him, there is no other way!

I believe that with every action, with every word, Jesus is telling us something, and we see here that even in the very beginning of his ministry Jesus is showing us what being humble truly means. When Jesus comes to be baptized, he tells an unsure John that it is proper for you to baptize me. Our Savior, the King of heaven and earth, could have shown his authority from the beginning, but instead He shows us how to humble ourselves and just do the right thing, no matter who you are. Actually we see two acts of humbleness in these last few verses, John because he believes that he is not worthy to baptize Jesus and Jesus because he wants John to baptize him. They both simple allowed God to work and did not allow conflict to come in. As our relationship with Jesus deepens, we hear his voice a little more clearer, as we listen and follow his direction, we can not help but to be humbled by our Father. ---Everything works for the good to those that love God!

I will leave you with this quote that I heard in a message a few weeks ago--I just can’t stop thinking about it.

“If you claim to be a Christian and you say you follow Jesus, yet you don’t read and study His Word, then there is absolutely no way that you are truly following Jesus Christ.” ---Louis Kathman