“Lessons In Humility From John And Jesus!”

“Lessons In Humility From John And Jesus!”(Mt.3:13-17).
Theologians raise genuine questions of concern and worry about the baptism of Jesus. The questions are not intended to challenge, but it is rather “Faith Seeking Understanding.” The gospel writer states that “John came baptizing… preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” The people came to him and “confessing their sins, they were baptized…”(Mk.1:4-5).
So why did Jesus go to John to be baptized? Does it mean he acknowledged that in his humanity he too had any confession to make? John was as embarrassed as we are. No wonder he tried to deter Jesus saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?” An ambitious and and platitude seeker would have been only too happy to baptize Jesus and later on brag about it that he baptized Jesus. But no; John knew his place was below Jesus. He was only a herald who had come to prepare the way by readying the people and announcing the coming of the Messiah.
John’s question was an act of humility and Jesus’ coming to John for baptism was an even greater humility.
Jesus assailed John’s worry and doubt by answering John, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”
Indeed, by his baptism all righteousness was fulfilled as God put a seal of approval on him. As soon as he was baptized, “at that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'”
What we experience at various levels of social strata is that some people are above the law; even when the sing-song is that “no one is above the law,” or that “everyone is equal before the law.”
I have often joked that I sat at a stone-throw to President Yuweri Mussoveni at Kasansero where the first case of HIV/AIDS was discovered in Uganda. It was the 25th anniversary to mark that day and the President was right there. I also ate the same food with President John Kufor of Ghana, right in our school restaurant in Akropong. That was when the Omahene of Akropong- Akwapem was celebrating his 30th anniversary as natural ruler of his people. The President attended the occasion about forty minutes earlier than the Omahene; not the other way round. These are lessons in humility, fulfilling all righteousness.
Dear friend, there are are certain things that we should allow to be so for the moment, and certain things we should do even when they are below our statuses. The fact that you drive a Pajero does not mean that you are too high to ride on a bike. Visit us on GZ on a Monday like today and if you want to go far, then you can only use an Okada. Each moment has its requirements by which we have to abide by if we have to fulfill all righteousness.
Prayer of the week: Lord teach me the humility if John and Jesus so that I can fulfil all righteousness. Amen!
Welcome to a new working day and week. Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.