We can all dream of having words
like Jesus; having the reply that silenced his critics every time. Jesus’
thinking reveals the wisdom and sanctity of God, for his ways are not our ways
and our thoughts are not his (Isaiah 55:8).
In encouraging those who had
received John the Baptist’s baptism, Jesus proclaims in hyperbolic fashion:
“I tell you,
among those born of women no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
~Luke 7:28 (NRSV)
Baptism As An Expression Of Humility
Nowadays baptism is a public
demonstration that we acknowledge we belong to God and are committing to live
re-born lives. By Divine re-birth, having asked God to put to death the old
life, which was free to the sinful nature—having buried that old life—we come
to consummate and accelerate our friendship and partnership with God.
What came before the decision for
baptism was humility. We agreed that the truth presented before us was
compelling; that God owns us and we’re inherently broken and disconnected
without him. Humility is home in the truth. It sees it and it faces it.
Humility is also a quiet courage to do what must be done in the presentation of
that truth. Humility becomes blessed, for all things in the truth are.
To have received a baptism, even
from John, an inferior baptism to Jesus’, but of itself a wholly satisfactory
baptism, those early believers are given equal status; no, better! For their
humble faith, to be baptised when the Pharisees would not, and to show their
dependence on God, these early believers had been affirmed by the Lord himself.
Baptism confers the Lord’s favour.
Baptism may be the first of a
series of actions demonstrating blessed spiritual humility.
Going Beyond Doubting Unto Conviction
Many believers, having been saved
at numerous altar calls, haven’t gone on in their journey toward full commitment. They may wait for the halcyon
experience. They may still doubt the veracity of the faith life. They may sit
on the fence enjoying the view from a ‘safe’ vantage point. Doubting and
spiritual apathy are normal and natural. But they don’t get us too far. Halcyon
experiences come after expressions of faith. There’s nothing more truth-filled than
the faith life. Sitting on the fence is the riskiest position.
God blesses us at accord with our
conviction to let go from safe harbour. As we trust the Lord with our entire
lives we do get the
keys to the kingdom; our lives are transformed all for the better—but not a
‘better’ according to the world’s thin definition.
Faith requires a risk. To take God
at his Word, getting beyond doubting, expresses faith—which is something that
cannot be vindicated beforehand. We only experience the blessings afterward.
***
When we’re convicted within our
minds and hearts to throw ourselves solemnly before God, a crucial expression
of which is baptism, we stand only to be blessed.
© 2012 S. J. Wickham.
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