Should You Receive Special Treatment?

I was traveling back from a speaking engagement when I was upgraded to first class.

That was my first experience in first class, and I imagine it’s my last.

I won’t lie. It was nice having leg room and deferential service.

And I just rolled my eyes when one of the last passengers to board muttered something in my general direction like, “I hope you all choke on your special first-class treats, you privileged snobs!”

My luxury accommodations lasted only a little more than two hours before I touched down and reverted to my usual economy self for the connection home.

Seated across from me on that connection was a U.S. congressman.

No doubt he flew economy to make a point to fellow constituents about being one of them and not wasting taxpayer money.

(And maybe to avoid comments like the one made by the snarky passenger on my first flight.)

On my next speaking jaunt, my boarding pass was numbered among those who board the plane at the very end of the line.

I waited as all those with priority passes, first class, or special accommodations boarded.

Then, dozens of others ranked higher on their boarding tickets lined up and I just knew my carry on was not going to find a place in any of the bins.

It didn’t.

My seat was in row 28. I closed my eyes and recalled my lovely first-class legroom two weeks earlier. Wistfully, I will confess.

Then, I opened my Bible app to Matthew 3.

As the chapter opens, we meet John the Baptist (“Creepy” John, for you fans of The Chosen ).

Among other things, he’s railing at the religious leaders of the day.

As John baptizes repentant sinners, he accuses the Pharisees and Sadducees of faking their faith, of hypocrisy, of not bearing good fruit and being at risk of eternal fire.

I just love that guy.

Special treatment is like oxygen for Pharisees and Sadducees.

John’s giving them special treatment but not the kind they’re accustomed to receiving.

Then, Jesus comes to John to be baptized.

But “Creepy” John, instead of immediately immersing his cousin, first tries to upgrade Jesus to first-class.

“John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’” (v. 14)

Jesus, though, understood more than all of us about how the universe works (since it was all created by Him, through Him, and for Him, that makes sense.)

“But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’” (v. 15)

But, why?

Wouldn’t some people misunderstand and think He was repenting of sin?

Wouldn’t some people wonder if he was submitting to John and so John was more important than He was?

What would the religious leaders think if the One on the verge of announcing He is Messiah lined up for baptism like everyone else?

None of that mattered to Jesus.

Obedience to the Father mattered to Jesus. That’s all.

Complete trust in God. Complete faith in His plan. Surrender to His will in all things.

No special treatment.

This moment was going to be the sign for John that Jesus was the One. Following His baptism, the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove. That was how John knew.

John then said, “And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:34)

Clearly, I find many reasons to be impressed with Jesus.

But what often stands out to me as impressive is that He always knew who He was and what He was here to do.

No matter who was looking.

No matter who was tempting.

No matter how hard the way.

Jesus always was His Father’s Son sent to do His will. And that required the humility to decline special treatment.

Crucifixion, in fact, was the opposite of special treatment and He surrendered to it for our sake.

One day, if I have opportunity to slip into a first-class seat again, I’m not going to lie. I probably will.

But, that’s not really what this post is about.

In the meantime, I’m going to ask Jesus to show me how He did that. Walk through this world and not look for special treatment. Walk in our shoes and keep His eyes, His heart, His obedience focused on our Father.

Serve those who will one day nail Him to a tree. Serve them in love. Real love.

I want that attitude from the inside out. I want that humility. That security in God. That willingness to obey.

No matter what number is on my boarding pass.

**Did you know that Jesus and the Beanstalk has a had a revision and a facelift? It’s been streamlined and updated with new material but all still focused on the message of spiritual growth in 2 Peter 1:1-11. It’s a great time to put it on your Christmas list for you or for those you love who enjoy growing up in Jesus!

Should you receive special treatment? https://t.co/lfu3iyh0xe #JohntheBaptist #amwriting

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) October 19, 2022