Matthew 3:15 - Homilies By P.c. Barker

The overruling reply.

This overruling reply of Jesus to John the Baptist, who very naturally hesitated to administer baptism to him, teaches us a lesson of—

I. THE MODESTY OF THOSE WHO ARE TRUE MASTERS — MASTERS BY UTTEREST RIGHT ; MASTERS BORN .

II. THE NOBLENESS OF THAT OBEDIENCE TO DUTY WHICH LEADS A MAN , WHOEVER HE MAY BE , WHATEVER HIS PLACE MAY BE , TO SERVE , WITH SOVEREIGN SURRENDER OF SELF , THE TRUTH AND THE RIGHT .

III. THE FAITHFUL REGARD THAT JESUS HAD TO THE LAW , UNDER WHICH HE HAD VOLUNTARILY AND SO CONDESCENDINGLY PLACED HIMSELF . HE REVERENCED IT AND MADE IT HONOURABLE BEYOND ALL IT MIGHT HAVE SEEMED BEFORE .

IV. THE UNAFFECTED MODESTY OF THE SERVANT ALSO , WHO KNOWS THE RIGHT MOMENT TO CONQUER EMBARRASSMENT AND TO PROCEED TO ACTION .—B.