The parallels to our own acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior and our public baptism cannot be lost in this passage. Like Jesus, there is a public scene where we make a confession of our faith before friends and family, by the act of water baptism. At first, everyone is happy for our obedience. And oftentimes our family is approving, like the “Heavenly Father” approved of His son Jesus. But right after the feelings of exhilaration and euphoria, there comes an immediate trial that we have to face. It’s always God’s way of saying … “The War Is On.” Our walk with Christ is a continual series of battles in order to advance in ranking as a “Follower of Jesus.” We all start out as a “Private First Class” in God’s army, but it’s His desire that we finish someday as “5 Star Generals.” Let it never be said about any of us that when the battle was engaged, he or she was AWOL. No! We don’t have time for that, because … “The War Is On.”

P-rayer: