Requirements Fulfilled

"It's only right to do all that God requires."

Matthew 3:15 The Passion Translation

I love that the first recorded words of Jesus in Matthew reveals that He is the Lamb of God.

Sacrificial lambs had many requirements to fulfill:

• Male

• No blemishes

• Washed a certain way

• Killed a certain way

• Presented to God in a certain way

I also love that Jesus is fulfilling God's requirements. He is doing this on our behalf - although no one present would understand that for a long time - and some - the Pharisees - would never understand or accept it.

We still struggle with the reality of being able to do NOTHING on our own to fulfill God's requirements - and I know we still try to!

And just like the angels proclaiming, "Peace On Earth and Goodwill toward man!", the night Jesus was born - before Jesus actually became our peace - so here Jesus Himself is announcing Freedom from Religious Requirements before the veil in the Temple was split.

The problem is we think lineal - first step A before we receive the benefits of step B. But God, as evident in Jesus life statement:

The Kingdom of God is here!

already operates in Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward man. He already sees us Free from all the Old Testament, Book of Leviticus, Pharisees etc requirements.

Why not grab hold of Jesus words instead of trying to copycat Him (uh.... we can't ....we aren't the Messiah!) Why not accept them as the gift they are?

Say it with me!

Jesus fulfilled all God requires

for me to be holy, righteous

and accepted as a

Much-Loved Child of the King!

Now let's be it!