Submission and Authority

"Leave it now! For thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness."
(my translation)

Matthew 3: These words are Jesus' first in the gospel of Matthew. They are words of submission and of authority.

First, these are words spoken in submission, in obedience to the will of the Father. They are words spoken in order that Jesus might be identified with us in baptism. They are words spoken as a model for us that we might be identified with Him. This is what God wants, so this is what Jesus will do. It's that simple.

However, these are also authoritative words, spoken in the imperative (command) tense. Jesus orders John to stop arguing and just do what God has called him to do. There is no room here for false humility, only obedience. There is no place for negotiation, no compromise. This baptism is John's real ministry. It is God's purpose for his life. It is how he is preparing "the way of the Lord" (v.3). Only he has the authority to wash "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:26-31). His hesitation to baptize Jesus threatens the fulfillment of God's righteous plan for the salvation of mankind.

Thus, Jesus is obedient to God, without pretense but with the authority of one who is doing the will of the LORD. He requires the same from John. And, He requires similar obedience from us.
 
 

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