Theology Made Simple

The Concerns of Jesus, Part 2

The first indications of Jesus' priority concerns are to be found in two incidents which serve to launch His earthly ministry. The first of these took place in His initial encounter with John the Baptist. He asked John to baptize Him, but John demurred, saying, "I have need to be baptized of you."

John viewed baptism as a symbol of acceptance by the group, and an indication that the one being baptized was now a proselyte, and a part of them. John, feeling that Jesus was greater, sought baptism as a symbol that Jesus accepted him, and not that he accepted Jesus.

The concern of Jesus, where baptism was concerned, was quite different. He did not try to explain baptism, nor describe the symbolism of it. His only concern was that His Father wanted it! The definition of "righteousness" is whatever the will of God is. Jesus said, "...it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness." In other words, "If my Father wants it, then I will do it, for that is righteous." It is not necessary for us to have a long theological explanation of the whys and wherefores of anything God has ordered. Like the heroes of the Old Testament, men of faith follow the orders of God whether they make logical sense or not.

All the arguments and debates, pro and con, about baptism, have centered in its form, and its meaning. Is it for the remission of sins, or because of the remission of sins? People have been excluded from fellowship with certain groups of Christians because their baptism was for the "wrong reason". When one takes the position Jesus took, all such arguments are a waste of time. The reason Jesus gave was quite simple. The Father wants it. Jesus was concerned with no other reason.

The second incident, which serves to define His concerns, was the temptation ordeal, and His confrontation with Satan. Satan recommended that He petition God for food, because He was hungry. He then suggested that God would protect Him from all harm, if He would just turn it over to the Father. Finally Satan suggested that being rich and powerful was certainly important.

To all of these Jesus had simple answers. There are things more important than my earthly needs, and I will not bother the Father with such. I will not, like some men, say, "If God is really God why would He let this happen." In other words, "I don't tempt God, with the troubles and desires of men." Finally, in contrast to the modern televangelist, God does not want me to be rich and powerful. Only my constant faith and obedience to His will are important.

Each temptation was self-serving. The concerns of Jesus were never about himself. He never demanded his rights, nor asked to have the problems and difficulties of life relieved. Contrary to our prayers for God to ease our troubles, Jesus only prayed for the strength to overcome them, and to glorify the Father in the process.

Jesus constantly emphasized His close communication with the Father. He prayed often, and fervently. However, His prayers were never to enhance His creature comforts, showcase His personal greatness and importance, or make Him rich and powerful. All of these things He considered antithetic to His mission as a servant, and Savior of mankind. His whole life was a denial of self, and a reaching out to others, that He might increase their faith, and their relationship with the Father. It is hard for me to take the message of Jesus to anyone with whom I am in bitter and self-centered competition. No wonder it is so hard to preach Christ in our present ad-saturated and competitively driven world.

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