Matthew 3
-John came as a voice in the wilderness to make the paths
straight for the Lord to come with His grace and truth of salvation. He lived a
humble life and simply called out people to repent from their sins so that they
could receive forgiveness from the Lord. John was dressed in authentic
prophetic garb that harkened back to Elijah (2 Kings 1:8). He ate food that was
lawful and had significant meaning (Leviticus 11:22). The locusts were
devouring animals, which spoke of the devourer being devoured by the coming
Messiah. Wild honey was sweet to the taste as Jesus would be to those who
trusted in Him for atonement (Matthew 3:1-4).
-*Application*
Becoming aware and admitting our mistakes and problems is the first step to
recovery with Christ. Acknowledge where we have gone wrong and receive His
mercy in true and genuine Godly sorrow, not just worldly guilt.
-John’s mission and water baptism for repentance was to
point out the truth of who Christ Jesus was. People were coming from Jerusalem
and all of Judea, even from the district around the Jordan, to hear, repent,
and be baptized as an outward manifestation of an inward reality. This change
of heart is the turning away from the old ways of a sinful life with the
realization that we are broken and need restoration and reconciliation. Jesus
was the One who would baptize (immerse, totally occupy, cover something
completely and fully) with His Holy Spirit and with fire. The Spirit is the One
who comes into us as part of the new covenant as of Pentecost that works His
transformation in our lives as we receive Him and His power. The fire aspect is
one of Christ’s judgment when we look at the context of the Scripture. He will
gather the wheat and burn the chaff (the useless part of the grain, in other
words those who reject Him as Savior). Unfortunately, the “Brood of vipers,”
who were the religious and curious of the Pharisees and Sadducees often did not
truly get the point (Matthew 3:5-12, Luke 3:17).
-*Application*
Christ Jesus is the dividing line. What will we do with Him? Accept Him and
receive His Spirit forever to be forever changed or reject Him to receive His
just consequence of separation from Him and His love. The choice is always
ours. His offer is on the table.
-John proclaims Jesus as the Messiah as He comes from
Galilee to the Jordan for baptism, which is not for the purpose of repentance
but for fulfillment of righteousness (Matthew 3:15). John is hesitant to
baptize Jesus knowing that He is greater and is already the Son of God and
perfect in all ways, but he consents as Jesus implores him to do the work of
this significant moment. The Trinity is in full picture here as the incarnate
Son is consecrated by the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove and the voice of
God is heard audibly from Heaven (Matthew 3:16-17, Mark 1:10-11, Luke 3:22,
John 1:32).
-*Application*
Just as John saw and testified that these things were true, and that Jesus was
the Son of God, we must also be witnesses of the grace and truth of our Lord’s
saving power. Share the message wherever you go.
Verses to Memorize:
Matthew 3:16-17
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