Get Ready, God's King Is Approaching! - Matthew 3

Photo 1 Photo 3 T h e G os p el o f Matthew Jesus the King Matthew 3:1-17 Section A (vv. 1-12) “In those days John the Baptist came (made his appearance) …” Section B (vv. 13-17) “Then Jesus came (made his appearance) from Galilee…” 1. Why is John the Baptist significant? (vv. 1-3) “… John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”” (Matthew 3:1-2 ESV) “… “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’”” (Matthew 3:3 ESV) 1. Why is John the Baptist significant? (vv. 1-3) “… John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”” (Matthew 3:1-2 ESV) “… “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’”” (Matthew 3:3 ESV) “A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD (YaHWeH); make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” (Isaiah 40:3 ESV) 2. How is John the Baptist described? (v. 4) “Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.” (Matthew 3:4 ESV) “They answered him, “He wore a garment of hair, with a belt of leather about his waist.” And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.”” (2 Kings 1:8 ESV) “These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.”(John 1:28 ESV) Jordan River Wadi Al-Kharar 3. How did the common people receive John? (vv. 5-6) “Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptised by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.” (Matthew 3:5-6 ESV) baptise (βαπτίζω) = to dip under, to immerse, to plunge 1st Century Mikveh 4. How did John respond to the religious leaders? (vv. 7-10) a). Accusation - “You brood of vipers …” b). Sarcasm - “Who warned you …” c). Instruction - “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” d). Rebuke - “Do not presume …” e). Warning - “Even now …” 5. What was John’s mission? (vv. 11-12) a). Preparing people to turn to the Messiah “I baptise you with (in) water for (to show) repentance ….” b). Proclaiming the ministry of Messiah “He who is coming (“The Coming One”)… “is mightier than I … I am not worthy…” “… will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” “… winnowing … clear …” “… gather wheat … chaff he will burn …” Matthew 3:1-17 Section A (vv. 1-12) “In those days John the Baptist came (made his appearance) …” Section B (vv. 13-17) “Then Jesus came (made his appearance) from Galilee…” 1. The Baptism of Messiah (vv. 13-16a) “… to fulfill all righteousness” (v. 15) 2. The Anointing of Messiah (vv. 16a-17) a). “Behold …” (v. 16) - the descent of God the Holy Spirit b). “Behold …” (v. 17) - the declaration by God the Father • “…’You are my Son’” (Psalm 2:7) • “Behold my servant, … my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him ….” (Isaiah 42:1)