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Waiting in Line

Waiting in Line

Words of Faith 3-15-18

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2018

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Luke 3

   [21] When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened [22] and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

   [23] Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, [24] the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melki...

 

     I don't like standing in line. Perhaps I just don't have the gift of waiting. I don't like waiting in line to get my auto tag renewed, so I get it online. As much as I love Disney, waiting for hours to get on a 90 second ride is not my idea of fun, so we don't go often. As I pondered this text I found myself wondering what it must have been like for Jesus, waiting in line to be baptized.

       The text says, "When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too." The language implies that Jesus was baptized last. Of course Jesus was last to be baptized that day. Why? Not so much because of what the Greek grammar says, but because of what His life and ministry was about to say.

     Can you imagine Jesus saying to someone, "Excuse me ma'am, but that was my place in line, I believe I was in front of you? And I have to get to work saving the world.” No. This was the same Jesus who in a few months would teach His disciples that "the last shall be first and the first shall be last"; and that "if you want to be great in God's Kingdom you must be the servant of all". It seems pretty clear that Jesus was last. He stood in line like regular people and probably allowed others to go in front of Him. This was one of the last times that Jesus would be "anonymous" in a crowd instead of being the center of attention.

     I found myself wondering, what was that like for Jesus to stand in line? Waiting was really nothing new for Him. He had waited since the dawn of creation to enter into human existence and begin redeeming the world.   In fact, Luke makes the point that Jesus stood in a long line of genealogy that began with Adam (3:23-37). Jesus waited 9 months to be born and then 13 years to be Bar Mitzvah, recognized by the men of the synagogue as a man. He waited another 17 years to be of the proper age for when a Rabbi begins to speak and teach. Now it was time to start His ministry and ... He was waiting in line.

     First, Jesus listened to John preaching a strong message of repentance. John was calling some folks snakes. There must have been comments there in the line. "Have you heard this preacher John before? He is pretty strong. Did he really say we were snakes? What is that outfit he has on? You know they say he eats bugs. I thought about bringing my kids just to see him eat bugs."

     There were probably some Pharisees whispering in one little group and some Sadducees whispering in another. Religious people seem to whisper about other people and one another.

     Some would have been listening intently to John's message. There were people who were deeply moved, some tax collectors and even some soldiers. Some asked questions of John about how to live right with God. There Jews and Gentiles, all sorts of people.

     Some people were probably tempted to give up on the line and leave. Perhaps He saw a woman, who looked like she had seen a lot of pain, the hesitant one. How can she ever be right with God? Tears stained her face as she thought about leaving. But Jesus was there at the back of the line with an encouraging look and a nod of reassurance. Don't leave. This is the right place to get right with God.

     Perhaps there was a man whose life had been shattered by the consequence of his own sin, a man who ached so deeply inside to be washed in the waters of the Jordan. If he suddenly felt like running away, there was Jesus at the back of the line. The man would catch the reassuring eye of this guy at the back and somehow he would gain the courage to stay, face God, and be changed.

       Jesus was back in that crowd when some started to ask a burning question. "Do you think that John is the Christ, the Messiah of God?"

       We don't know that He entered into the discussion but if He did He probably said, "No... I don't think so."

       "You know-- many people think John may be the One."

       "No... I don't believe that he is the One. I just somehow don't think so."

       "You sound pretty sure. You certain?"

       "Trust me."

     What a day. What a line. And no one knew it. And finally there Jesus was at the very last. After a long afternoon of baptizing, people were going home. The service was about over and suddenly there was Jesus before John. When their eyes met, John must have known instantly that the time of preparation was now done. The other Gospel writers tell us that John tried to refuse the baptism but Jesus insisted. Suddenly heaven was opened, the Spirit descended in a form like a dove and the voice of God spoke words of confirmation.

       That image of Jesus standing at the back of the line is powerful and comforting because we all stand in that line. If you don't think you need to stand in the line where people are repenting, you are gravely mistaken. If you think you are too nice, too religious, or too lost to stand in that line, you are wrong. We all stand in the line of those who need repentance. Jesus stands in that same line not because He needs to repent but to fulfill all righteousness for us. He is there for you and me. He is there to give reassurance or perhaps to answer a few questions. And if you choose to walk away... you MUST walk past Him. If you choose to reject the waters of repentance you will have to pass by His gaze.

     We have become accustomed to the image that we somehow walk toward Jesus. That is true. Jesus calls us forward. He calls us o'er the tumult out onto the water. But He also stands behind us ready to help, encourage, and pick us up if necessary. Perhaps that is one reason why God called Him the Alpha and Omega. He is the Beginning and End of the line.

       Have you been standing in line for a while to repent? Have you gotten impatient waiting for the Lord? Thinking of turning away. There is a temptation to delay business with God and leave it for later. If we do, we must walk past Him and He will reassure us, now is the time.

 

     Thank You Lord Jesus for Your gift of grace. Thank You for the blessing of repentance and renewal. When I grow impatient, give me words of reassurance. Keep me from turning away. I give thanks that You are behind me and before me. In Jesus' name.