The final section of the Jesus Creed, McKnight discusses the way in which Jesus is the model for our lives. The first chapter points to baptism. Jesus’ baptism marked for us the beginning of Jesus ministry and ultimately the direct work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. McKnight revisits the story of John the Baptist. John was calling for perfect repentance. This repentance recognizes 2 things; we don’t love God perfectly; and we submit to God who does love us perfectly. This is what Jesus does, he identifies with God’s people to the point of taking part in their penitence, living their life and dying their death. So that God’s people will be a part of God’s restoration and be raised in Jesus resurrection. Jesus from the point of baptism commits to giving the Spirit to His people. Ultimately in we are so fallen our repentance is so dredged in sin that we need Jesus to even repent for us. The words of Jesus “Forgive them for they know not what they do,” reveal to all of God’s creation that Jesus is saying this to the Father for more than just his immediate accusers.
McKnight in his next chapter talks about Jesus going out into the wilderness. The Jesus Creed of loving the Father and your neighbor is God’s intent in the wilderness of seclusion. Jesus went out to the desert to experience the same temptations that the Israelites experienced in the Exodus, this made Jesus capable to come into the Promised Land as an obedient Israelite. McKnight also points to another significance of the wilderness story. We are also called to follow Jesus to the wilderness, where we find trials and suffering only to come out prepared to be called obedient.
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