Matthew 3:13-17 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 3:13-17 on biblegateway.com
Verse 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. Verse 14John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Verse 15But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. Verse 16And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. Verse 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."
Devotion
Imagine an ancient Jewish community gathering for worship and unrolling the Torah. They read of Moses leading the Israelites through the parting waters. Another scroll told about Joshua doing likewise through the Jordan. They may also have retold the story with Elijah and Elisha parting the waters in 2 Kings.
Progressives in that community probably thought, “This may help us understand who Jesus was and explain his work.” Matthew then wrote about Jesus stepping, as did his predecessors, into the Jordan, and the waters of the heavens parting. At the gospel’s close, Matthew commissioned all to take Jesus’ message to the ends of the earth.
These texts are now a part of our tradition. Where will we go with them? Will we confront a pharaoh, king or governor’s policy, as did Moses, Elijah and Jesus? Will we, like Joshua, lead others into a new place? Will we promote the idea of jubilee as Jesus did when the Spirit rested on him?
Prayer
O God, send us too. Amen.