When We Try to Protect Jesus

What would you stop Jesus from doing?

John tried to stop Jesus from being baptized by him.

There are other moments in the gospels when someone—out of seemingly righteous motives—tried to inform Jesus of a better plan. Each time, they likely believed they were doing what was best for him.

Peter told Jesus to give it a rest when Jesus said he would suffer and die.
Mary and Martha told Jesus it would’ve been better if he had arrived earlier.
Peter again tried to stop Jesus from washing his feet.
And Peter once more drew his sword when Jesus neither needed nor wanted him to.

In each case, Jesus is resisted not by his enemies, but by those closest to him—those who love him, but don’t yet understand the way of his kingdom.

And today, Christians of many kinds do things in the name of Jesus that he never said to do. Some vouch for causes they believe are for the greater good, even when those causes directly conflict with Jesus’ teachings. Perhaps most common are those moments when Christians do nothing at all in the face of antiChrist statements or actions, assuming that such things “just have to happen.”

Of course, that’s a far cry from John telling Jesus he shouldn’t be baptized. But all of these moments—then and now—are moments where we’d be better off simply listening to Jesus rather than correcting, editing, or explaining him.

It may not be easier.
But it would be more faithful.

Matthew 3:13-17

At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River so that John would baptize him. John tried to stop him and said, “I need to be baptized by you, yet you come to me?”

Jesus answered, “Allow me to be baptized now. This is necessary to fulfill all righteousness.”

So John agreed to baptize Jesus. When Jesus was baptized, he immediately came up out of the water. Heaven was opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and resting on him. A voice from heaven said, “This is my Son whom I dearly love; I find happiness in him.”

Psalm 19:12-14

But can anyone know what they’ve accidentally done wrong? Clear me of any unknown sin and save your servant from willful sins. Don’t let them rule me. Then I’ll be completely blameless; I’ll be innocent of great wrongdoing.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Prayer

God,

Sometimes I pray for things to change—for situations to turn out differently, for outcomes I think are best. I’ve been taught to intercede, and I do it with hope. But when I overstep, when I ask for something that opposes your will or your way, feel free to let me know.

You’ve given us the teachings of Jesus, and for that I am deeply grateful. And between them and the narrative of his example, it’s the heart of why I still chase this faith thing. So make me to know his words through and through—not just to recite them, but to live by them, so that my prayers, my actions, even my silence, do not work against him.

So help me, God.

By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.