“Permit it To Be So, Thus it is Fitting”

Devotional, by Pastor Jeremy, March 27, 2008

Matthew 3:13-17 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

The statement at the end of this section of scripture seems to be the Father’s stamp of approval upon His Son Jesus. It is amazing as you read the New Testament how the primary focus of each writer is to bring glory and attention to the Jesus the Son. This is not the only time that the Father spoke from heaven in regards to His Son. The apostle Peter, along with James and John, heard this same voice and testimony on the mount of transfiguration. He testifies to this in 2 Peter 1:17-18 when he says, “For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

It is interesting in the Matthew account, that this declaration from Heaven was preceded by Jesus desire to fulfill all righteousness. As John tried his best to deter the idea of him baptizing the savior, Jesus responds with “Permit to be so.” It is the obedience of Jesus that leads to the Father bestowing Glory and Honor on Jesus. And as the Son in glorified, the Father is glorified also (John 13:31).

So how does this apply to us? Well in the book of 1 John chapter 2 verse 6 it says “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” God desires that all who remain in Jesus have a desire to walk just as He did. Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness? As we seek to walk as Jesus did, we will bring glory to the Son; and in addition, bring more glory and honor to the Father.