Friday, March 18, 2011

The Gospel - Matthew 3:1-17 (Humble and Patient)

May every heart be opened and accept teaching from the Holy Spirit, the only Teacher of the Truth.

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Matthew 3:1-6
In those days came John the baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
Matthew 3:11
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.
Matthew 3:13-17
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him. And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
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Reflection upon my impatience. God create an orderly world, we live in a world govern by systems. Many times, we wish for short cuts to achieve our goals. Jesus is our best example for patience. He had to wait for almost 30 years to begin His Ministry on earth. If Jesus can wait, I can too when I draw strength upon His patience.

Reflection upon my pride. May times, I overconfidence over my ability. I tends to think I can do better then others, especially my superior in work and life. Of course I can, God made me in His image, I can overcome anything through Him. But I miss the whole point. What God is looking at is not me ability, which he freely given to me. He is looking at the condition of my heart. Jesus humbly accept baptism from John, God accept baptism from man, in order to fulfill all righteousness. Upon this, God said from Heaven: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. God is especially please with Jesus' humbleness. If Jesus can humble, I can too when I draw strength upon His humbleness.

May God's peace be with you always.

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