The Commands of Christ, Part One

Okay, I know you’re probably expecting something profound here and, while to me, it is, it might not feel that way to you at first. That’s okay. Before I dive into it, however, I want to make sure to cover one key detail: this blog series is intended to cover direct commandments from Jesus. I’ll be looking at the words in red in my NASB 2020 Bible. I won’t be looking at implied commands and instructions, only the moments where Jesus specifically tells His followers to do something or to live a certain way. I think this is important.

What is the First Command of Christ?

If you’re reading the New Testament starting in Matthew, the first time you see those good ole “words in red” is in Matthew chapter 3, verse 15. We’re going to look at 13-17 for context.

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?” But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him. After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”

Let’s take a look at Jesus’ words here:

Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.

So when we read the full context, this is the story of Jesus getting baptized. John the Baptist wanted to refuse what Jesus was asking him to do. John makes it clear when he says, “I have need to be baptized by You,” that he doesn’t feel worthy. This is John the Baptist and HE doesn’t feel worthy?! But see, John walked with God and when our spirit is aligned with God, we don’t feel worthy. When we acknowledge that God is Holy, and pure, and righteous, and we see the gap between what He is and what we can never be; a little bit of feeling unworthy is only natural.

But let it sink in for a minute that Jesus said, “Permit it at this time.” That’s bigger than you might think. I’ve heard preachers go a full sermon on why baptism is important. The fact that the first time act of Christ’s ministry was being baptized shouldn’t be lost on anyone. I think there is, perhaps, a more profound teaching that comes from this command.

At some point in your Christian walk; God is going to ask you to do something you feel unworthy of doing.

There are countless times in the Old Testament (take a look at Moses’s early ministry, for example) where prophets openly told God that they didn’t feel unworthy; but this is the first time in the New Testament that we have a person who had a strong reputation for serving God (even if it didn’t make him well-liked but some religious groups) say he’s unworthy.

But what does Jesus, the one that John knows came to literally be the savior of humankind, say to John: “Permit it at this time.” Then, John pushes those feelings of unworthiness aside. John knows he’s looking at the Son of God. He’s known Jesus was the Son of God since before either of them were born (which is a really cool story). John then does the uncomfortable thing Jesus asked him to do.

Then, as soon as both are aligned in God’s will. Both do the thing that Jesus knows God needed done:

This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased

See, John could have still refused. He could have doubled down on how unworthy he felt for the task God had put at his feet. Matthew doesn’t give us an exact number of how many people were watching. But in verses 5 and 6 we see

Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all of Judea and all the district around the Jordan; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.

Based on that, I think it’s pretty safe to assume it wasn’t a small number. This not-small-number of people got to see something jaw-dropping because of John’s obedience. They got to see the very first proof of who Jesus was. They got to hear the voice of God state that this was His son and in Him, God was well-pleased.

If John had doubled-down on his unworthiness and continued to refuse to do the thing Christ was asking of him; they’d have all missed that moment. Now, let’s make this a little more personal.

I have not gone a day of my Christian walk feeling worthy of the grace and love I receive from God. I don’t think I ever will. I also don’t think I’m supposed to. Jesus’ baptism kicked off his entire ministry. How many people do you think became ready to accept Him for who he was because of that moment?

God is going to ask you to do things that take you out of your comfort zone. I have no business writing this blog. I’m not a scholarly theologian. I got my writing start falling in love with fantasy novels and wanting to create them. The extend of my studies come from my bible and the preachers who I’ve been lucky enough to have guide parts of my walk. I’m not as faithful in writing it as I should be because sometimes, I just feel so unworthy. I have to remind myself, God never asked me to be worthy.

The first command of Christ wasn’t, “Go and make yourself worthy.” The first command of Christ was “Permit it at this time.” Jesus needed John to be willing, not worthy. Isn’t that awesome?

No matter what life you’ve lived until now. It doesn’t matter if you’re not a Christian, a new Christian, a “Good Christian,” a super-flawed Christian (like me), a jaded Christian on the verge of a gap, or anything else. It. Doesn’t Matter. God doesn’t need you to be worthy; God needs you to be willing.

If you’re not a Christian but you feel God calling you to be one of His people, welcome to the family! I’ll be honest, there might be times that people in this family let you down, but God will not. Remember that. How do you join up? It’s pretty simple, you don’t even have to learn a secret handshake! Here are the steps:

1. Say a prayer acknowledging who God is, that you know He sent His son, Jesus, to carry the burden of our sins, to die on a cross and then rise again to build a bridge that gives us a way back to God. If you need help with that; something like this might work: “God, I need You in my life and I am so grateful You don’t require me to be worthy to have You. I believe that You sent your Son Jesus to die for my sins and to be resurrected so that I could have a relationship with You. I want be part of Your works. I am willing.” Feel free to make that prayer your own, customize it to fit you. Share it with a friend if God has asked you to do so.
2. Find a local church. The first church you find may or may not be the one God wants you at permanently. Don’t worry, He’ll let you know. Ask for Him to guide you and He will. He may have you at one church body for your entire walk and He may send you to several.
3. Ok, so this is the important part. When you find that church, it does not matter if you think it’s the one God has intended for you to stay at for a while or not; but tell the preacher/pastor/priest, whatever the minister is called and tell him your good news. “Hey, I found this random weirdo on the internet rambling about the first command of Christ and I found out that I don’t have to be worthy, I just have to be willing. I prayed this prayer and told God I wanted to be a part of His family and to do His work.” Or, you know, however you would word it. But tell somebody that can help you get started and mentor your walk. Hopefully, they’ll help you get baptized as well (if even Jesus did it before starting his ministry, so should you).
4. And now the hard part that I fail at more than I care to admit: tell everybody. It’s okay to start small. You can start by telling people you love and people you know love you. Then, slowly expand. Small steps forward are still steps forward.
5. As you tell everybody, read your Bible. Don’t have one, they’re pretty cheap on Amazon. I really like the NASB 2020 edition; but it’s not for everyone (I prefer the more literal translation it aims for, but it’s probably not the right translation for a new Christian because it doesn’t have the best flow and readability in places). The pastor at the church I attend currently likes to say that the best translation is the one you’ll pick up and read. It’s good advice.
6. Here’s where I’ll get a little controversial. Even if you don’t currently feel that you have the time to read daily; pray daily. Start every morning off with prayer. God did so much to have a relationship with you and you just told Him you wanted one with Him. You build that relationship by talking to God. It doesn’t have to be formal. You can talk to him as casually as you like. But talk to him every day. Multiple times a day is okay. I try to start my day with an earnest prayer. I say what I like to call “micro prayers” as they day goes by. I try to end my day with prayer to thank God for putting up with me. A daily relationship with God will make your best days better and your worst days bearable.

If you’re already a Christian but haven’t been baptized; do it. I’m not going to type out a whole extra blog within this blog to explain why you should. It should be enough for you that Jesus started his ministry by being baptized and that if we agree on nothing else, we agree that we are supposed to be trying to follow His example. I’m not going to argue about full immersion baptism versus head sprinkles (at least not here). However your church does it, that’s good enough to get started.

For those of us who have been called, been baptized, who know God is wanting you to do a thing that you’re uncomfortable doing (looking at YOU, man in the mirror!). Friend, if you feel even a quarter as unworthy as I do to be doing God’s work and sharing His message, I get it. Make a commitment with me now to permit it anyway. Here’s part of my morning prayer that you can adapt to your own:

“Heavenly Father, You are holy, mighty, and true. The creator of all things and for reasons I’ll never fully understand, You make the decision to love me when I’m at my best and even more when I’m at my worst. No words of gratitude will ever fully express how grateful I am to be able to have this relationship with You. Today father, show me Your will and how I can adjust my life to be a part of it. Send my feet where You want me to go. Use my words to speak Your message. Use my hands to do Your work. In the name of my savior, Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit I pray, Amen.”