Imperative: Mat 3:15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.”
Context:
Mat 03:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
Mat 3:14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Mat 3:15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” Then he consented.
Mat 3:16 And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him;
Mat 3:17 and lo, [behold] a voice from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
GREEK VERBS:
Reflection:
The point is to follow the plan. This is not about who is greater. Baptism is not about submission to John or who is superior. It is a part of the plan that Jesus is to follow, as Jesus understands it.
It is connectional. Jesus connects himself with the Ministry of John. He is not independent and without any connection to others, doing his own thing and expressing his individuality. He partners with others, including John.
John represents the tradition of the Hebrew religion. While Jesus is going to do something new, something innovative, he does so as one who is connected to the tradition. He is not a rebel, he is an innovator. Jesus builds something new on the foundation of those who have gone before.
Jesus has worked out the plan in advance. He understands what he has to do from God. God is well pleased with his following the plan.
What is the meaning of “fulfill all righteousness”?
1. Do God’s will even when it doesn’t make sense to you … obedience leads to an example of the Trinity.
Mat 3:14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
(Logical, worldly banana brain thinking … evaluation of good and evil.)
Mat 3:15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” Then he consented.
O. No command except for the example. Do God’s will even when it doesn’t make sense to you … obedience leads to an example of the Trinity.
S.O.W. QUESTIONS
S. What does it say?
O. What does it say that I need to obey?
W. Who needs to hear this? Generally? Specifically?
Mat 03:8 Bear fruit that befits repentance, 9 and do not presume to say to yourselves …
S. John says that Jesus is going to raise the bar on repentance. His standards are even higher.
O. Get ready.
W. Those who think they need no repentance because they are better than other people, in their opinion.
How did Jesus fulfill this?
RESOURCES
S.O.W. QUESTIONS
S. What does it say?
O. What does it say that I need to obey?
W. Who needs to hear this? Generally? Specifically?
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DISCERNMENT QUESTIONS
What gets your attention?
What human needs or problems relate to the text?
What is it like to have that problem?
What other resources connect to this idea?
What is the solution suggested in the text, if there is one?
What would a camera see if the solution was implemented in my life, in my family’s life, or in my church or community?
What are the steps that I would take on Monday to implement that solution?
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CONTEXTUALIZING QUESTIONS What does this say to my context as a ……. person?… follower of Jesus? … to a church? … to a community – my neighbors?
What are the commands of Jesus Christ which we need to obey? In disciple-making, Jesus commanded the following in Matthew 28:20: “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…” What are the commands that we are to follow and teach others as identified by Jesus’ use of the imperative mood in the Greek?
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