Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.’
One of my favorite scenes from the gospel is this interaction between John and Jesus. This is the most amazing invitation into ministry for every Christian. We all, like John, recognize that we need Jesus. And yet, in grace, Jesus says "Yes, but I want you to do something for me." And Jesus' answer continues not with an "I", but with the word "us". It is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness. Jesus didn't say "It is proper for me...", he said it's proper for us.
I find this to be the way of the kingdom. We have need of Jesus and yet he comes and invite us into some kind of ministry with him and for him, and even, like John, to him.
Would write more, but must go and water the concrete.
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