Adolescent Arrogance

Moments in Matthew . . .

Matthew 3:14 , Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan, coming to John to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, ” I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”

John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Christ, a man of great faith tried to prevent Jesus from doing the Father’s will. Does that strike you as odd? Why would John attempt to stop Jesus?

Why? Simply because the Father’s will didn’t make any sense to John. John baptize Jesus? How could that possibly be right? So, he tried to talk Jesus out of it. The implication being that Jesus somehow misunderstood the plan. That Jesus was about to make a mistake. Without thinking things all the way through, John sets himself up as possessing more knowledge than the Son of God.

Consider another example: Peter. In John chapter 13 Jesus models servant leadership by grabbing a towel and making the rounds, one by one washing the disciples’ feet. Kneeling before Peter, Jesus receives a reprimand. Peter said to Him, “Never shall you wash my feet.”

Whoa! Did he just try to set God straight? Pretty much. Awkward! Wonder if the room got silent?

Two men, appointed by God, Christ followers, heroes of the faith and both plunge into the same arrogant trap – presuming to know more that the Almighty. And, these men are not alone. Remember Cain, Moses, Job, Elijah . . .

1 Corinthians 2:16, “For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him . . .?” (See also Romans 11:34 and Isaiah 55:8)

Here’s the deal: God is right. He is always right. He never needs correcting. If something about what He is doing seems weird or wrong, it’s my perspective that needs adjusting. It’s my view that’s distorted . . . my understanding that’s clouded.

I can so see how John and Peter could have been confused. It doesn’t seem best for sinner to baptize Savior, for slave to be washed by Master. In my own life there are times, many times, when God’s will and mine just don’t match up. I’ve got to be careful or before I know it, I’ll be bossing the Boss.

• So when He says to me, “Wives be subject to your own husband as to the Lord,” I don’t get to argue that my man is not doing as good a job as I would do if God would just let me be the leader and tell him to be the follower. (Ephesians 5:22)
• When He reminds me that, “the anger of man doesn’t work the righteousness of God,” providing explanations about how this  particular person deserves a dose of my wrath, will not alter the Father’s instruction. (James 1:20)
• When He whispers, “Forgive as I have forgiven you,” letting go of bitterness and revenge are no longer an option. (Ephesians 4:32)

Where and how are you currently questioning God’s wisdom in your own life? What circumstances are making you want to advise the Alpha and Omega?

Mark Twain – ” When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around.  But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.  (“Old Times on the Mississippi” Atlantic Monthly, 1874)

It’s time to outgrow our adolescent arrogance spiritually speaking. You and I don’t have to fully understand the mind of God, but we do have to obey His will. In a very short time, we just may come to agree that Father still knows best.