Matthew 3:1-12 – Preparing the Way for Jesus
There were 30 silent years before Jesus baptism. We are not told much about Jesus’ life growing up. We do know that He grew up as a normal child. He had a mother who was deeply spiritual. She loved, trusted, and obeyed God. Jesus was blessed by His foster father, Joseph. Joseph became a carpenter. He recognized God’s will for him and his family. He obeyed God. So Jesus was brought up in a loving, God-fearing family. What a great start in life.
Do you give your child the best start in life?
In Hebrews 2:10-18; 4:15-16; 5:7-9; Luke 2:40-52 we learn some things about Jesus’ early life. He had brothers. He was tempted in every way. He prayed with loud cries and tears. He learned obedience. He grew and was filled with wisdom. The grace of God came upon Him. At the age of 12 He stayed in Jerusalem and talked with teachers and had understanding. He grew in wisdom and statue and in favor with God and men. During these silent years in Nazareth He experienced all that we experience. So He knows exactly how we feel in every circumstance.
In the OT God sent prophets to foretell the coming of Jesus, but for 400 years God had been silent toward His people. Then He sent the prophet, John the Baptist. He was to prepare the way for Israel’s coming King, Messiah Jesus. Isaiah 40:3 – “A voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.’” John the Baptist was that voice.
John chose to give up the comforts of life and live in the desert. He was a bold preacher and warned of the coming wrath. His work was a call to repentance. He said all should repent and be baptized. John baptized with water, but He said the one to come would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. John prepared the way for the Lord Jesus by causing people to recognize and confess their sins. He pointed them to Jesus, the Lamb of God. His purpose was to prepare hearts for the Messiah.
People from all of Judea came to John, confessed their sins, and were baptized. When John saw the Pharisees and Sadducees coming, he called them vipers. These two groups represented the leadership of Judaism. The Pharisees believed you are righteous by keeping the law. They often misinterpreted the law, they held many traditions to be equal authority to Scripture, and they were often hypocrites in their practice of the law. The Sadducees were more conservative. They were wealthy upper class, held powerful positions, and more concerned with politics rather than religion.
What sin do you rationalize, but deep down know it is wrong?
John preached to the crowds about Jesus. Luke 3:18 – “With many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.” He said Jesus would be more powerful, He would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire and He could clear out His church and gather all believers together.
Who is the Holy Spirit?
Luke 3 gives extra details about John the Baptist’s message. He told the people to share with others, collect no more taxes than what was due, not exhort money or accuse people falsely, and to be content with your pay. These are good lessons for us all.
The difference in John’s baptism and the baptism of Christians since Pentecost is John baptized with water and simply prepared the people for Christ. Christian baptism today includes these things, but much more. Today we are baptized with the Holy Spirit. Baptism is a sign that points to God’s promise and includes a new life in Christ. Our baptism unites us forever with Christ.
Matthew 3:13-17 – Jesus’ Baptism
Jesus came to John the Baptist and wanted to be baptized. He had no sin and didn’t need to be baptized. But Jesus said in Matt. 3:15b – “It is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” This was His first identification with us as sinners. He set the example for us. Although He had no sin, He took our sins upon Himself at the Cross. His baptism marked the beginning of His public ministry. It was the anointing for service. When Jesus came up out of the water, heaven opened and the Spirit of God descended on Him like a dove. “And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’” – Matt. 3:17. This distinguished Jesus as the Messiah from all the others John baptized.
Why did Jesus decide to be baptized?
Principles:
Have
you confessed of your sins?
Have
you repented and truly turned from sin and turned to God?
Have
you ever intentionally received Christ into your being through faith?
Join me here next week as we continue our study of Matthew -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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