12-3-18 Today in the Word

The Gospel of Matthew: The King Has Come
FULFILLING ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS
Monday, December 3, 2018 | Matthew 3:1–17

The talented composer Antonio Salieri produced dozens of operas in multiple languages, and in 1774 he became the court musician of the Habsburg monarchy. In the early 1780s, however, he met a rare man widely regarded as his musical superior and whom many saw as his successor—Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. At least according to legend, a series of intrigues ensued as each sought to undercut the other. While the most outlandish claims, such as that Salieri poisoned Mozart, are likely false, they illustrate just how tense relations between predecessors and successors often are.
This makes the relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus all the more notable. John had prominence, drawing crowds “from Jerusalem and all Judea” (v. 5). But he did not think he needed protection against a possible successor. Rather, he waited eagerly for that successor and humbly proclaimed the coming of One “whose sandals I am not worthy to carry” (v. 11).
When his successor arrived, John readily acknowledged His superiority. John’s attitude is perhaps best captured in the Gospel of John, in which he says of Jesus: “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30).
Just as notably, however, Jesus did not seek to negate the ministry of His predecessor. Rather, He validated it, receiving John’s baptism and declaring it necessary “to fulfill all righteousness” (v. 15). He preached a similar message about the coming kingdom (4:17), and praised John and his work (11:7–14). Jesus built upon the foundation laid by John and the other prophets in a unique way. But in acknowledging the importance of their work, He shows that God’s kingdom advances not through jealous competition but by righteous cooperation.
APPLY THE WORD
Reflecting upon your own experience, what predecessors helped lay a foundation for you to accept or grow in the Christian faith? Give God thanks for their contributions to you and to the work of God. Who might one day take your place? How might you support them and their faith? Pray that God would give you the grace to do so.

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