Imperative: Matthew 2 (no imperatives)
There are no imperatives spoken by Jesus in Matthew 2.
The chapter contains two sections:
Mat 02:01-11 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem
Mat 02:12-23 And being warned in a dream
Context: Can we infer commands from this context? Use the questions below to consider this.
S.O.W. QUESTIONS
S. What does it say?
A star in the heavens can move us to action.
Assumptions can be dangerous. The “wise” men went to Herod.
The knowledge of where the Messiah was to be born was not widely known, as bible experts needed to be called. This contradicts the typical assumption that the coming of the Messiah was everyone’s obsession. Perhaps to the cultists like the Essenes.
Assumptions can be dangerous. The “wise” men went to Herod.
The knowledge of where the Messiah was to be born was not widely known, as bible experts needed to be called. This contradicts the typical assumption that the coming of the Messiah was everyone’s obsession. Perhaps to the cultists like the Essenes.
The star must have reappeared to the wise men to lead them to the exact location of the baby. This is why they rejoiced. Otherwise they would not have come to Herod’s palace.
Providence: the gifts given by the wise men are portable wealth – easy for Joseph and his family to immediately flee.
O. What does it say that I need to obey?
No commands.
W. Who needs to hear this? Generally? Specifically?
Those seeking God’s will with and through government entities (Herod)
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?
CONTEXTUALIZING QUESTIONS
What does this say to my context as a …
…. person?
… follower of Jesus?
… to a church?
… to a community – my neighbors?
RESOURCES
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?
Footnotes:
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
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?
Footnotes:
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
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A sermon was preached on this command:
Date … Audio Link … Slides Link.
Last post review/revision: 7/1/20. 8/11/18.