Matthew (Mt) 3:15
RECIPIENT: John the Baptist
CONTEXT: Jesus’ cousin, John, a prophet, was speaking to large groups of people who came to Him in the wilderness by the Jordan River. He spoke about the imminent coming Messiah whom the Jewish people had hopes would deliver them from Roman oppression. He baptized those who believed what he said in order to symbolize the personal decision to clean up their lives in preparation for the Messiah.
Mt 3:13-14 Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. 14But John tried to prevent Him saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
COMMAND FULL TEXT: “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
RESULT: Mt 3:15-17 Then he permitted Him. 16After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, 17And a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased”
COMMENT: John was confused about Jesus coming to him to be baptized. In righteous humility, John questioned Jesus. Jesus gently informed John of His intentions to set a good example. John did what Jesus said and God was pleased.
GENERAL APPLICATION: This week think about and then permit yourself to do the things you could and should as a husband or wife, employee, employer, student, etcetera that will set a good example and thereby encourage others to also do what is right.
WHAT WILL YOU DO? Please share how will you be the good example this week? If you have comments or perhaps another application for this command of Jesus please share it here.
Scripture quotations taken from the NASB
© 2018 Christopher Carlson
Hello Chris. I really like what your doing with this blog. When l think about John the Baptist I’m reminded of his humility; “l baptize you with water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than l, whose sandals l am not worthy to carry” (Matthew 3:11). And in John 3:30, He must increase, but l must decrease. We can use his example as we lead others to Christ.
Thanks Bob for sharing your personal application of Jesus’ command. And thanks also for writing the first public comment to this blog!