The Story, Part 17: The New King Models the Way

May 11, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Footprints in the Jordan Mud

John stood waist-deep in brown river water, camel-hair tunic clinging to his skin. His voice cracked through desert air: “Prepare the way!” Crowds stumbled toward him, tax collectors and soldiers blinking under the sun. He plunged them beneath the current, not to erase sins but to turn their faces toward the coming King. Jesus would walk this same riverbed days later, leaving footprints in the mud for us to follow. [04:48]

John’s baptism wasn’t about perfection—it was about posture. He straightened crooked paths by making people confront their hunger for something more than rules. God still sends “wilderness voices” ahead of us, clearing debris from hearts before we arrive with our message.

When you share Christ this week, remember: you’re not starting from scratch. God’s already working upstream in that conversation. What heavy rock have you been trying to move that God might’ve already loosened?

“A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’”
(Isaiah 40:3, NIV)

Prayer: Thank God for three people He’s already preparing to hear His voice through you.
Challenge: Text one person today: “How can I pray for your week?”

Day 2: Dove Over Dirty Water

Jesus waded into the Jordan’s murky current, shoulders brushing against sinners. John protested—this reversal made no sense. But the Lamb knelt, liquid grit swirling around his knees. When he surfaced, the dove descended not to purify the water, but to confirm the Son. Obedience came first; clarity followed. [10:01]

Jesus’ baptism reveals a pattern: sacred steps often look ordinary. He honored the Father’s process despite His divine identity. Our own obedience in mundane acts—daily prayers, small kindnesses—trains us to trust the path.

Where are you resisting “unnecessary” steps because you feel spiritually qualified? Jesus submerged Himself in our mess first. Will you let today’s ordinary obedience become someone else’s signpost to Christ?

“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.”
(Matthew 3:16, NIV)

Prayer: Ask God to reveal one “illogical” obedience He’s requiring this week.
Challenge: Perform one act of service today without explaining or documenting it.

Day 3: Breadcrumbs in the Wilderness

Stones glinted like fresh loaves in the desert sun. Jesus’ stomach growled—forty days empty. The tempter whispered, “Fix this.” But the Word-fed King saw beyond hunger to the feast of trust. He left breadcrumbs of Scripture in the sand, marking a trail we still follow. [13:33]

Temptation targets our most immediate need to derail eternal purposes. Jesus didn’t debate; He directed. His memorized Scriptures became boundary stones, keeping Him aligned with the Father’s path when emotions screamed for shortcuts.

What hunger is the enemy exploiting to make you question God’s timing? Jesus’ wilderness footprints show us: truth stored today becomes strength tomorrow. When did you last feed your heart with Scripture for future battles?

“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’”
(Matthew 4:4, NIV)

Prayer: Confess one area where you’ve sought quick fixes over God’s Word.
Challenge: Write Deuteronomy 8:3 on a card and place it where temptation often strikes.

Day 4: Yoke Calluses

Jesus watched oxen plow Galilee’s fields, their wooden yokes polished smooth by daily labor. “My yoke fits,” He told the crowd. Not because it’s weightless—but because He bears it with us. Calluses form where wood rubs skin, proof of shared work. [21:52]

The Father’s assignments chafe our self-sufficiency. Jesus’ yoke requires leaning into His pace, not straining ahead or lagging behind. His “easy burden” comes from matched steps, not absent weight.

Where are you grinding alone under life’s load? The yoke’s second side stays empty until you stop thrashing. What practical step would help you sync rhythms with Christ this week?

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
(Matthew 11:29, NIV)

Prayer: Name one burden you’ve been carrying solo; ask Jesus to shoulder it with you.
Challenge: Set a phone reminder every three hours today to breathe deeply and pray, “Your pace, Lord.”

Day 5: Upstream Currents

Rescuers scrambled along the riverbank, always downstream from the crisis. But John the Baptist stood upstream, shouting preparation. Jesus shows us God never chases emergencies—He intercepts them at the source. Our panic often comes from forgetting He’s already in the rapids. [07:20]

The Father tills hearts long before we plant seeds. Like farmers clearing stones for next season’s crop, our small obediences prepare unseen soil. What feels like trench work today may become fertile ground for another harvester.

Who have you written off as “too far downstream” to reach? Remember: God’s current pulls stronger than any chaos. What groundwork can you do today for a harvest you might never see?

“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.”
(Mark 1:2, NIV)

Prayer: Thank God for three ways He prepared your heart before major spiritual milestones.
Challenge: Write an encouraging note to someone who “prepared the way” for your faith journey.

Sermon Summary

We follow Jesus not merely for answers but for the way to live. We learn to move from the balcony to the dance floor where God lays down small, practical footprints for us to follow. The Scriptures call us to fix our eyes on Jesus as the author and perfecter of our faith so that we adopt his attitudes and his follow through. God gives a path more than a finished product, and maturity grows when we take the steps, fail, correct, and try again rather than waiting for an answer key to appear.

John the Baptist prepares the road ahead so we see how God works upstream of our efforts. The kingdom advances as people clear weeds, plant seeds, and water what others began; we belong to a long line of faithful laborers who make the next step possible. Jesus himself models obedience in baptism, humbling even when he needed no cleansing, and shows commitment to the Father by following every step. In the desert, the temptations reveal true kingdom aims. Jesus resists quick fixes, the lure of spectacle, and the temptation of worldly power by answering with Scripture stored in his heart.

Discipleship looks like daily walking with Jesus, not a one-time classroom lesson. We learn mostly by doing, and God’s yoke proves easier when we walk with him and shoulder burdens in his way. The call is to trust the process, build spiritual habits now, and store God’s word so that when pressure comes we act in line with the kingdom’s values of love and relationship rather than control. When waiting and weariness press in, the faithful response lies in running to Jesus, following the path he has already walked, and joining the work he is already doing ahead of us.

Key Takeaways

1. We follow Jesus' given steps We commit to the practical rhythm Jesus models instead of seeking instant solutions. Embracing small steps shapes our character more than sudden answers. Each obedient step trains our instincts to trust God under pressure and prepares us for deeper trials. [09:26]
2. God works upstream for us God often prepares hearts and circumstances before we arrive, so our work usually continues what God already began. Recognizing upstream activity shifts us from frantic self-reliance to faith-filled participation. We gain patience to clear weeds, plant seeds, or water where others have started. [07:20]
3. Scripture equips us against temptation Storing God’s word in our hearts creates an instinctive defense when the adversary tempts with immediate needs, spectacle, or power. Scripture frames desires and exposes false promises so we choose the kingdom’s way over worldly shortcuts. Regular engagement with the word builds a reserve we draw from in crisis. [16:16]
4. Discipleship is a daily walk Following Jesus happens in ordinary interactions and repeated practices rather than in a single event. Learning by doing refines faith through correction and persistence. As we walk, the yoke becomes bearable and our burdens transform into shared work with God and the church. [19:49]
5. Run to Jesus in waiting When waiting grows heavy, our instinct should be to run to Christ rather than to past methods or easy fixes. Jesus invites the weary to take his yoke and find rest in his presence and leadership. Trusting his forward path sustains us when answers remain unseen. [25:48]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:26] - Jesus shows how to live
[01:57] - Fix our eyes on Jesus
[03:42] - Trust the process not answers
[04:48] - John the Baptist prepares the way
[07:20] - God works upstream for us
[09:26] - Baptism as obedience and example
[12:31] - Temptation in the wilderness
[16:16] - Scripture as our defense
[19:49] - Discipleship as daily walking
[21:52] - The yoke that gives rest
[25:48] - Run to Jesus in the waiting
[27:51] - Closing prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Matthew 3:13-17 (ESV)
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 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. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Matthew 4:1-4 (ESV)
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Observation Questions

In Matthew 3:14-15, John the Baptist initially resists baptizing Jesus. What reason does Jesus give for insisting on being baptized? How does this connect to the idea of "following steps" even when they seem unnecessary? [09:26]
During Jesus’ temptation in Matthew 4:3-4, how does He respond to the devil’s challenge? What does this reveal about the role of Scripture in resisting shortcuts or quick fixes? [16:16]
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus contrasts His yoke with the burdens of the world. What imagery does He use to describe the difference between His way and worldly ways?

Interpretation Questions

Jesus’ baptism was not for repentance but to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). Why might obedience to God’s process matter more than personal comfort or status, even for someone sinless? [10:19]
The sermon compares discipleship to a daily walk rather than a classroom lesson. How does Jesus’ response to temptation in the wilderness model a lifestyle of relying on Scripture rather than temporary solutions? [17:35]
Matthew 11:28-30 describes Jesus’ yoke as “easy” and His burden as “light.” How does walking in daily obedience with Him make burdens feel lighter compared to striving alone? [24:30]

Application Questions

What is one “small step” of obedience you’ve been avoiding because it feels unnecessary or too simple? How could taking that step this week align you with Jesus’ example of humility? [09:26]
When facing a recurring temptation or stress, what Scripture could you memorize or meditate on to reframe your response, as Jesus did in the wilderness? [16:16]
In areas where you feel weary or burdened, what would it look like to actively “take [Jesus’] yoke” this week instead of defaulting to self-reliance or control? [25:48]
The sermon mentions “clearing weeds, planting seeds, or watering what others began” as part of God’s upstream work. What practical act of faithfulness—even if unseen—could you prioritize to join His long-term process? [07:20]
How might shifting your focus from seeking an “answer key” to trusting God’s daily guidance change your approach to a current challenge or uncertainty? [03:42]

Sermon Clips

48s

#obedienceLikeJesus

“What's interesting about Jesus' baptism is that Jesus is God. Jesus is without sin. He didn't need baptism for repentance, yet insisted on it. And this matters because Jesus Jesus follows all the steps to show commitment and obedience to the father. He doesn't skip steps, even secure in the knowledge of who he is. He humbles himself and does what is right before all men. If the sinless one, Jesus, followed in these steps of obedience, what makes us think that we get to skip any of the steps?”

37s

#TrustGodsProcess

“This is true for us as well. We find our spiritual drive and we stop waiting for something that will bypass the process that God and the path that God has put in front of us, but instead trust the process that God has put in front of us. The big question is, are we looking for Jesus to solve our problems and give us the answer key? And sometimes that is the attitude that is even presented in the church is that the Bible and Christianity is the answer key when really it's more of a treasure map.”

41s

#RunToJesus

“So my final thought is, who are you running running to when the waiting gets hard? Jesus says, run to me. Don't run to past examples. Don't run to worldly examples. Run to the one who is ready to help you. He says, come to me all you who are weary and burdened. And every time I drive by and see things that are worrisome and burdensome, there's lots of places that I wanna go and I hear this soft voice saying, run to me.”

38s

#UseJesusExample

“Jesus could have done a lot of things, but all he did was use the words of the Lord. When you're in the weeds of temptation, one of the best things that we can do is follow the example of Jesus, not looking for a quick fix, but just relying on the truth. And sometimes that means, and I I I don't you know, I imagine whenever I imagine the scene, I imagine Jesus stopping and thinking about what he's being tempted by before he responds. Take a few minutes. Count.”

41s

#RejectWorldlyPower

“The temptation given in Jesus during this trial is that is that of worldly power. And Jesus wholeheartedly rejects it because the kingdom that he is building is not built in the same way. He did not want this worldly power. And if Jesus rejects it, then possibly it's something that we should reject as well. He's ushering in something better than what has been worldly power in the kingdom of God that is built on not on control, but on love and relationship between man and God.”

38s

#StepByStepFaith

“We have all been chosen and called by God to be his disciples. God chooses people not because we are perfect, but because he knows that we will be faithful just as Jesus was faithful. One of the things we need to start doing is we need to stop waiting for the answer and start following the steps, trusting that God is working out the answers for us. That's all God has ever wanted us to do is just move forward one step at a time, following the steps, and he will work out the answers for us.”

31s

#FollowJesusJourney

“And I think in the same way, Jesus says, I want you to follow me. It doesn't mean that it's going to be a weightless endeavor. It doesn't mean that it's not gonna be work. It doesn't mean that it's not gonna be a difficult journey necessarily. It says, but as you learn from me, you'll find out that this is a much bearable burden than what the world presents, what the world likes to put on your shoulders.”

41s

#DiscipleshipIsAWalk

“Jesus didn't stop being tempted after that. He continued to face the challenges that we face on a daily basis. Jesus' ministry turned into a day to day invitation. It was him walking around, talking to people, having interactions that were just day to day much like us. He was very much on the street doing ministry, but at the end of the day, it was just the stuff that we run into ourselves. He invited others to journey with him. Discipleship isn't a classroom, it's a walk.”

Ask a question about this sermon

Brent Caulley This sermon · AI assistant

How does Jesus model obedience to God's steps?

How should Christians use Scripture when tempted?

Is Christianity an answer key or treasure map?

The Story, Part 17: The New King Models the Way

Devotional

Day 1: Footprints in the Jordan Mud

Day 2: Dove Over Dirty Water

Day 3: Breadcrumbs in the Wilderness

Day 4: Yoke Calluses

Day 5: Upstream Currents

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

The Story, Part 17: The New King Models the Way

Share