Hear and obey

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20

You’ve heard the saying “Do as I say, not as I do”? When teaching others, it’s easy to see where we are hypocritical or lazy. Fortunately, Jesus wasn’t like that all. His death and resurrection is the means of salvation, but His life, including the things He did AND said, are an example of what we too should do in order to be sanctified (to be more holy).

Baptism is one action which Jesus both commanded to His followers and did himself as an example. At the very beginning of His ministry, He went to John to be baptized. John’s baptism was evidence of repentance and symbolized entering the family of God. Even though Jesus already didn’t need repentance or membership in God’s family, He did it because it was a good and right thing to do, as an example to His followers.

At the very end of His ministry, after the resurrection and before He ascended into heaven, He commanded His followers to tell others and to baptize those who believed. It’s part of the Great Commission, Jesus’ basic instructions for spreading His Gospel to the rest of the world
Isn’t it amazing that our God doesn’t just tell us what to do? He also lived through it all, from life as a real human to person, to dealing with temptation, to being baptized.

Questions for discussion and reflection

  • Are there any of Jesus’ commands that you know, but aren’t doing?
  • Can you name any other ways Jesus set an example for us to follow?
  • Have you been baptized at North Valley? If not explore more online and take your next step. Next week the church will be having baptisms in both services. https://www.northvalley.org/baptism

Prayer
Dear Jesus, you have commanded us to be more like You, and we want to be more holy! Help us to know what is right AND to do it. Be with us as we share Your Word with others, so we can be good examples, too. Amen.