Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” - Matthew 3:13-17
Imagine you’re in one of these scenarios:
Your a quarterback and have the opportunity to play with Drew Brees. You two find yourselves on the same team for a pick up game and he steps aside to let you be the quarterback. and lead the team.
You’re a cook and go out to eat at one of Emeril Lagasse’s restaurant. He see’s you and invites you to come into the kitchen and prepare your best dish as that night’s special.
You’re an extra on a movie set and Brad Pitt says he thinks you would fill the lead role better than him.
What do all these scenarios have in common? That depends on how you would respond. To deny recognizing and using your talents just because you’re not the best out there would be false humility. To step up but brag about that moment at every possible opportunity for the rest of your life would be prideful. Or you could say thank you for the opportunity, glorify God in using your talents, and praise God for those talents in humility.
Now, what do these scenarios have to do with this Sunday’s gospel?
Humility.
An incredibly powerful virtue to have and an incredibly agonizing virtue to cultivate. When thinking of where you might see humility in this story, you could look at Jesus and say, “How humble for the God of the universe to allow Himself to Baptized by a mere man.” And you would be correct. Jesus even says He is humble:
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” - Matthew 11:29
This may sound prideful to say “be humble like me.” However, as shown in the hypothetical scenarios above, we see that being honest about who you are and what you can do is true humility.
With that being said, take a second look at this gospel and notice John. At first, he recognizes the Lord in front of Him and asks what He would will by offering to first be Baptized by the Lord. But, when the Lord calls John to be the witness for others, John glorifies God in that moment. When God calls John to use the gifts God gives him, John fulfills that job and steps forward in humility to serve as the Lord wills it.
Where in your life might you be burying your gifts and talents in false humility?
Where in your life might you need to die to flesh so your spirit may live?
Scripture for Further Reflection
“Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.” - James 4:10
“For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” - Luke 14:11
“For by the grace given to me I bid every one among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith which God has assigned him.” - Romans 12:3
“but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, 13 forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” - Colossians 3:12-13