Overview
There is 1 imperative spoken by Jesus in Matthew 3 as he is baptized by John the Baptist.
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View online Greek Interlinear: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/matthew/3.htm
Commands List
15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.”
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?
Commands, specific … with Greek vocabulary.
Mat 3:15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” V-AMA-2S = Verb – Tense: Aorist/Mood: Imperative/Voice: Active – Person: 2nd Person Singular
Link to Greek word dictionary: 863
Aphes
Ἄφες
Permit [it]V-AMA-2S
Comments & Quotes
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.
REFLECTION
- Do God’s will even when it doesn’t make sense to you.
- Obedience here leads to an example of the Trinity: the Father speaks, the Holy Spirit descends.
- Mat 3:14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” John is overthinking this, caught up in a debate of logic, ethics and status, who is superior and who is inferior; it is easier to simply obey. “Let it be so now …”
A DISCIPLE WALK is to follow the disciples from Matthew 1 through John 21, as they learn from Jesus and apply His commands to our lives today.
A sermon was preached on this command:
Date … Audio Link … Slides Link.
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