January 4 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

The greatest surprise came on the day when Jesus made his way through the crowd and approached John the Baptist, "to be baptized by John." He wanted to be cleansed!

Here was the one who is worthy of all praise. Everyone should bow the knee before him. The greatest prophet is not worthy to kiss his feet or carry his sandals. And he said, "Let me be baptized."

In consternation John refused.

But with the serenity of a man who knows the goal and the way to the goal, Jesus said, "You have to do it, John, for this is how we fulfill all righteousness; this is what God requires."

The will of God is the end of all reluctance for John. Jesus steps into the Jordan. Now he takes the place of the sinner—as if he himself were a sinner. And while he stands where the polluted people should be standing, the voice is heard from heaven: "This is my Son." The Spirit descends. The power comes down. And the Anointed One goes out to fulfill his mission.

What a mission!

Now the kingdom is coming because the King has been anointed with heavenly power. Baptized with the Spirit, he is going to dethrone the devil. But what a surprise! What a divine turn of events! The Lord of all takes the place of all, where the sins of the world are washed away. And when John the Baptist—or you or I—would be inclined to say, "He is the wrong man for this place," God and Jesus say that this is how it is going to happen and must happen. "This is my Son." This is the right man in the right place.

The Son comes to save God's people. Therefore he steps onto the spot where sinners deserve to stand.

Reflections

Picture Jesus being baptized, standing in your place, as a sinner. Give thanks.

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published by Paideia Press in 1977. This updated edition is copyright 2009 by Faith Alive Christian Resources. You can order a copy of this revised version of the book directly from the publisher.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this updated edition of Daylight are from the Holy Bible: Today's New International Version copyright 2001, 2005 by the International Bible Society.