What we can learn from John’s confusion at Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:13-17)

We sometimes have trouble understanding or accepting what God wants from us. John the Baptist’s experience at Jesus’ baptism is an example of that. Let’s see what we can learn from his experience, as recounted in Matthew 3:13-17

Pray over this passage and then consider the points set our below. This version is from the New Jerusalem Bible. Other translations are available  here. 

Then Jesus appeared: he came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John.¹⁴John tried to dissuade him, with the words, 'It is I who need baptism from you, and yet you come to me!'¹⁵But Jesus replied, 'Leave it like this for the time being; it is fitting that we should, in this way, do all that uprightness demands.' Then John gave in to him.

¹⁶And when Jesus had been baptised he at once came up from the water, and suddenly the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him.¹⁷And suddenly there was a voice from heaven, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him.'

1.    Even righteous folks, dedicated servants of God, fail at times to comprehend/initially accept specific things God asks them to do. John the Baptist’s righteousness/dedication to God’s service is plain (See Matthew 3:1-12, Luke 3:1-19, Matthew 11:7-15), but he still fails to understand what Jesus is asking him to do. John is not alone in that. Scripture reports multiple instances of that pattern. (Moses) Exodus 3:7-12, (Gideon) Judges 6:11-13, (Isaiah) Isaiah 6:1-5, (Jerimiah) Jerimiah 1:4-8, (Zechariah) Luke 1:5-18, (Mary) Luke 1:34, (Peter at his initial calling) Luke 5:4-11, (Peter when Jesus reveals himself as Christ) Matthew 16:22-23 & Mark 8:32-33, (Peter after the resurrection) John 21:20-22, (Ananias) Acts 9:10-19, (Peter when God ended dietary laws) Acts 10.

2.   Those instances usually involve two types of error. One is the servants’ failure to comprehend their own capabilities if they submitted to God. (Moses) Exodus 3:7-12, (Gideon) Judges 6:11-13,(Isaiah) Isaiah 6:1-5, (Jerimiah) Jerimiah 1:4-8, (Zechariah) Luke 1:5-18, (Peter at his initial calling) Luke 5:4-11,  The other is their failure to comprehend what God is seeking to accomplish. (John at Jesus' baptism) Matthew 3:13-17,  (Mary) Luke 1:34, (Peter when Jesus reveals himself as Christ) Matthew 16:22-23 & Mark 8:32-33, (Peter after the resurrection) John 21:20-22, (Ananias) Acts 9:10-19,(Peter when God ended dietary laws) Acts 10. 

3.    Indeed, scripture recognizes that dynamic. Our trouble comprehending God’s will underlies Proverbs 3:5-7,  Proverbs 16:1-2,  Proverbs 21:2, and  Proverbs 28:26.  It also underlies the broader scriptural theme that we must be open to correction. See the scriptures collected at Wisdom Principles--Rebuke & Openness to Correction

4.    God still uses His dedicated servants in spite of their initial incomprehension.  That is seen in the lives of each of the saints noted above. See also Fear does not equal Failure and Doubt does not equal Disqualification. Scripture also recognizes that dynamic on a more general level. See Psalm 37:24, Proverbs 24:16. See also Psalm 103:13-14.

5.    Those instances occur when acceptance of God’s request would benefit others. It is therefore important for the servant to get past his/her initial incomprehension. 

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6.    The key to being useful in spite of such initial confusion seems to be a willingness to continue to dialog with God, not to reject His request out of hand. Again, we see that in the experiences of each of the saints mentioned above. That is consistent with scripture’s repeated statements that God will give wisdom to those who sincerely ask for it. See James 1:5, Proverbs 2:3-6, Wisdom 8:20-9:12.