Devotion 6.16.15

The pinch hitter.  The worst position in baseball.  Basically you are firing the next hitter and saying, "We believe this buy has a better chance, statistically, to hit in this situation than you," OR you are saying, "You aren't pitching in the next inning" (that's in the NL, the AL gave up that situation years ago).  Regardless, when you go in, all eyes are on you.  You are there as a substitute for the batter.

So, to a far more significant scenario for us.  Christ.  A man without sin stands up willingly and says, "I'll stand in for them."  In Matthew 3, John calls on Israel to repent.  John tells them that the kingdom of heaven (Christ) is near.  John, as a prophet, tells them what Christ will do.  Then Christ, Him who is without sin, stands before John to be baptized (3:13).  John, very aware of the situation, protests, "I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?" (3:14)

Jesus sets and example for us.  He stands up and responds to John's call for repentance and says, "I'll be baptized and repent."  The irony is he has nothing to repent for.  His is free of sin.  He is obedient to the Father.  He basically commands John, who protests, to do this now to fulfill all righteousness (3:15).

Jesus will stand in for us again, on the cross.  He will make the ultimate sacrifice for us and defeat death for us.  We remember our baptisms as we thank God for the gift of faith and the forgiveness of sins.  Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for this life-giving faith we have received through nothing we have done, but rather through Christ and God's forgiveness.

Hope Men's Ministry