Passing the Baton

Warriors Arise: September 1, 2023

Matthew 4:12-17 (NKJV) Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,

Galilee of the Gentiles:

16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,

And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death

Light has dawned.”

17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Jesus picked up where John left off. Jesus received John's message and baptism. He received God's words of affirmation and the Holy Spirit. He willingly went with the Holy Spirit to the wilderness. After forty days, the devil found Him and began to tempt Him. But, Jesus did not buckle. He would not be enticed to sin. The devil tried three times and finally Jesus had enough. He had the authority from the time the devil arrived, but He didn't used it until the devil's third attempt. Jesus spoke, "Away from Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’" This verse, Matthew 4:10 is one of my new favorite verses. It makes me laugh. I can only imagine how fun it was for Jesus to stick it to the devil, "You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only you shall serve." The devil might have left because he didn't want reminded of how little authority he had. He didn't want to be reminded that one day he would bow before God. His tyranny on earth would be short lived. You and I need to understand what Jesus was really saying when He used this particular verse to respond to the devil's temptation. Jesus totally exposed exactly how powerless the devil was.

Let's get back to the point of today's blog. Jesus is picking up the baton John has handed Him. He is preaching John's message. He is validating John's message. It is a message that will ring through all generations from that time to the end of time on Earth.

Matthew 3:1-2 (NKJV) In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

Now, it is Jesus' turn to pick up the baton and run His race. The people needed to repent for their sins. I wonder if the woman with the issue of blood was here or if she had heard Jesus say this, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." When she reached out to touch Jesus did she realize or comprehend she was touching the one who would one day rule the kingdom of heaven?

What would change about your life and in my life, if we realized the kingdom of heaven is our's for the taking. What would happen if we reached for heaven and received the baton from Jesus? When Jesus walked the earth, He passed the baton several times. He passed it to the woman at the well, the demoniac and His disciples. Each are to run the race before them.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Father, You have demonstrated how we are to receive the baton, the kingdom of heaven. John, Jesus, the woman at the well, the demoniac, and the disciples reached out and receive the baton. I desire to run the race You have before me. I am fixing my eyes on Jesus. He will prepare me and I will be ready. I will have endurance. I anticipate the run. I will stay the course. I will run a steady race. I will not quit. I will be empowered by the Holy Spirit. You will give me strength. You will direct my path. I will finish the race strong. I will pass the baton to others. We will expand Your kingdom and bring You glory in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

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