Acceptance

"John would have prevented him, saying, 'I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?' But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. " - Matthew 3:14-15 

I often recall the soft spoken voice of Louis Rodriquez. He was my high school Sunday school teacher. Our church started in his home and his family was a significant and supportive presence in the ministry. While some people would revel in the notoriety, Louis happily accepted the role of teaching the way of life to a class of rowdy high school students.

John was born into the home of an Hebrew priest and an older cousin of Jesus. Yet, he was chosen of God to ride the wave of opposition against religious tradition as a latter day prophet. His was an arduous task that was thankless at best and led to an early death. While some people would have resisted such a life, John happily accepted his role as one who would prepare the way for Messiah.

Happily accepting the role that the Lord gives us is the first step in achieving great things for God. John prepared the way for the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29) Of the few high school students that Louis Rodriquez taught, I personally know that one became a pastor, one became a seminary professor, one became a seminary president and one became an international evangelist. God accomplishes much through those who accept His will.