Make the Way Straight

Introduction

Scripture

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can more like You, and more made into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much, that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all to often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possible can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

3 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”[a] 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:‘Prepare[b] the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’”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. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him,[c] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son,[d] with whom I am well pleased.”

Context

In today’s text, we turn to one of the biggest moments in Jesus’ earthly time and ministry, His Baptism; which is in-and-of-itself and act of submission to God’s will. We find it here in the third chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew, which of course was written by the apostle Matthew (also known as levi), one of Jesus' 12 hand chosen disciples and one of the original apostles.

As a disciple, Matthew saw a lot of Jesus’ life and ministry. While Matthew was not one of the inner 3, one of the 3 closest to Jesus (Peter, James, and John) that saw things that the others did not, still none the less Matthew had a front row seat to oh so much of what Jesus did and had first hand access to people that would have known Jesus from his childhood and before His ministry began. So, Matthew has a lot of details to share with us. In fact, you might notice that this Gospel, of all the other 3 is the longest of them all. You will also notice, that this gospel includes a lot of lineages and family lines, so we can deduce from his writing style and focus on these things, as they were so important to this people, that the first audience that this gospel was written to was the Jews who believed that Jesus was the messiah.

In this gospel you will see a need for something come up time and time again. This need is a need that all Christians from all walks and places of life need to both think about and do often. This is of course the necessary idea of repentance from sin; which Matthew describes in his Quote of the prophet Isaiah about John the Baptist’s message, that we must all make straight paths. It is clear from our text today, that repenting from sin, while yes is part of accepting salvation, that it is not just a one and done thing, but rather a lifetime process and focus. As for all, sin lurks much closer than we know and even supposed it does. So, believer hear me today and the words from your bible, that You must repent from sin. Let’s see this idea unfold today in your bible where, From the text, I want you to see and do these actions as you make the way straight.

Message

The first action to see and do is to: Make new paths 1-6

3 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”[a] 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:‘Prepare[b] the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’”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. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

We see this important prophet from last week’s text, play an important part in this week’s as well, this of course is John the Baptist, himself had an important message and came in the Spirit of and with the same message of the prophet Elijiah. It was foretold by the prophet Isaiah that Elijiah would return, and here we see Him return, though not physically, but very much the same, as we might say “in the same Spirit.” John the Baptist was so like Elijiah, that even dressed and ate like him, as a wilderness dweller or outdoorsman might. His message was simple yet profound to the people of Israel, Repent (turn from your sins) because the Kingdom of God is at hand, it is very near and soon you will see the messiah come. Here it was, after 400 years of silence from God to His chosen people Israel, came a prophet who told them that salvation was very near, many people from Jerusalem and Judea heard him, and took him seriously, so they did just as the prophet was telling them, to repent from their sins and in submission to God, they were baptized in the river Jordan.

I can remember, one time when I was learning to drive, coming across an unnecessarily curvy road. This was right smack dab in the middle of nowhere on the way to a family reunion in Jacksonville, Illinois. You see, at the time, I was not a very confident driver, and after miles and miles of straight road with corn fields on one side and soybean fields on the other, I asked my dad if I could drive. Well, he was desperate for a break, and was happy to say yes. So, he pulled to side of the road, we swapped spots and my sister in the backseat said a sarcastic comment about how good a driver I was. Anyways we get in, and for about 5 minutes everything is great. Now, mind you, haven’t had a turn or a curve in over an hours time! Then, all of the sudden, we come up to a MASSIVE 90 degree turn the right which was followed shortly by another massive 90 degree turn to the left. By all logic, this path could of been straight, instead it was a scary situation for a 15 year old driver that wasn’t used to driving at speeds around 65mph yet.As you can imagine even though I had plenty of time to react/change/adjust, but I didn’t know how to do it right yet, so I had to “touch the brakes” with a little enthusiasm to handle the curves. In the end we were ok, but I was a little nervous.

In Matthew’s quote of the Prophet Isiah about John the Baptist, he talks about making the way straight, which means, is used as a metaphor for making straight ways/roads of repentance. That is, you better get to repentin’ because Jesus is almost here, and now He has come now, so guess what sinner, you better get to repenting; to not only understanding your sin (your rebellion against God) is wrong and being genuinely sorry for it, but also and importantly doing everything within your power to never do it again.This includes making new paths and direction, new ways of thinking, even separating yourself from things and others that keep you from being pure. Instead of being on an unnecessarily curvy path, make new straight paths, to do this You must repent from sin.

The next point to see and do is to: Don’t Presume 7-12

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

It would take long, not just the common people came to hear John the Baptist and be Baptized, but even the religious elite. Here we see mention of the Pharisees (the conservative sect of Judaism) and the Sadducees (the more liberal sect of Judaism) who were both often at odds with one another for both religious and political of the nation, came to hear the Baptizer. He sees them, and calls them something harsh, but deserving, a brood of vipers (snakes). This was term that the prophets of old had referred to people who were unrepentant and evil sinners. He warns them, don’t just assume because you are the religious elite of the children of Abraham that you will be saved from wrath! No, even the act of Baptism that you are most likely here for will not save you, no! For one much mighter than me (The Messiah) is coming soon, behold he has an axe in hand and he will cut down the bad trees, the trees that only look good and leafy, but do not bear the good fruit of repentance. Don’t presume your rank, status, and lineage is going to save you. Those of you who do not repent are like the useless chaff in wheat, that is good for nothing and so is thrown into the fire.

This week, while studying this passage, I came across a very revealing yet alarming quote by a bible commentator of the 17th century, Matthew Henry. His quote loosely quoted goes something like this, “Those who do not bear fruit (that is, a repentant life), and not fit for food, are fit for fuel for the fire. Oh wow and yikes.

In your life, you have probably come across a great many people who presumed (that is by their limited knowledge thought they were saved), but in actuality it couldn’t be further from the truth; just as these Pharisees and Sadduccees were. The bible describes our salvation as that we are saved and are being saved, that is your repentant life is a continued process (the proof in the pudding that you were serious about submitting to Jesus' Lordship and accepting His offer of salvation so to say). Paul writes at this length in both the letters to the Corinthians and Phillippians. So, here is a warning to all. Don’t presume. Don’t Presume that because you come from a family of good Christians that you are saved, don’t presume that you or someone you know made a confession of faith at a young age that they are saved. Don’t presume that your rank, status, and position means you are saved. Don’t even presume that if someone says that they are a Christian that they are saved. No, instead look for fruit, a repentant life that says that Jesus Christ is Lord and that their thoughts, deads, and actions all agree. After all, mankind is so prone to either lying or being misinformed. So, what then is a key signal to you if someone really is saved, really is a believer or not, it’s clear here from the Baptizer words: You must repent from sin.

Another action to see and do is to: Submit to God 13-17

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him,[c] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son,[d] with whom I am well pleased.”

Here, we see Jesus come into the scene and participate in one of what we would call one of the pivotal moments of His life. This of course is His baptism, but if we look closely, we can see more than just this going on, but the continued idea of submission to God. First of all, the people that were there, were because they were submitting to God’s call to repent. But, notice also that the Baptizer had to do the same thing, he had to submit to God the Son, Jesus. As John knew that it made no sense for the lesser to baptize the greater, but rather it should be the other way around, it should be Jesus the greater should baptize John the lesser. So, at first he wouldn’t, but notice what Jesus tells him, that he must do it, because it is fitting for righteousness, it is the right thing to do that The Father wills. So, despite not wanting to, despite it not making any earthly sense to him, John the Baptist submits to God the Son’s command to Baptize Him. Jesus Himself, God Himself, came to be baptized because He was submitting Himself to God the Father’s will. So, we see in this short scene, a vivid picture of submission; and The Father and Holy Spirit affirmed this with their presence.

It goes without saying, that submitting to something or someone you should be is a good thing for you, and not doing is bad for you. For example, we are all familiar with seat belt laws, and know that it is good for us to wear seat belts. I’m sure here most of us do, but it used to not be a law that you had to wear one.Well, In 2008 there was an article written in New Zealand, there was a man who didn’t submit to the law, and racked up some 32 seat belt violations over a 5 years span. So, the man, not wanting to pay any more tickets, but not wanting to wear the seatbelt, made himself a little fake seat belt that looked like he was wearing one, but in reality he wasn’t. This worked for him at first, until one day he had a terrible head on collision, and was flung straight out his window and died. When interviewed about the matter, the coroner commented on how despite the fact that his car was equipped with working seat belts and seat belt laws were in effect, the fake seat belt did nothing for him. If he would have submitted to the law, he would have been ok.

As that man experienced, and as everyone will day. You cannot fool God, He knows if you have truly submitted your life to Him, He knows if you are truly living a repentant life. You may be able to fool others, and you may be able to fool yourself, but you can’t pull one over on God. Either you are bearing a life that has the fruit of repentance, or you do not. You must repent from sin. You must submit to God on this, you must! Old believer and new believer alike, you must look at yourself, observe yourself, and even be brave enough to ask others for help in both identifying your sin and dealing with it. These are steps that repentant lives do. So, have you done these steps lately? At all? Never? What is keeping you from offering good fruit to the orchard keeper (God)? Aim to produce good fruit believer, and your God will know your every deed, action, and sacrifice, and be honored from it all.

Conclusion

Beloved, Proverbs 3:6 tells us, In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths. You can’t rightly acknowledge Him (God) without first submitting to Him. So, make your paths strait, Repent of sin of any and every kind of nature, Don’t Presume; don’t presume others around you are saved, don’t presume anything other than your right relationship with Jesus saves you, and Submit to God for your own benefit and good. Make straight the paths, beloved, make straight the paths, you have no need or use for a curvy road.

With all of that being said, I would be remised if I didn’t share the Gospel (or the Good News) of Jesus Christ with you today, for the benefit of both believer and non-believer in the room. This begins all the way back at the beginning, God created everything, and he created all things good. He gave His most treasured creation (us, mankind) the ability of free will, the ability to choose Him or rebellion. Man was deceived by Satan and desired to be like God and sinned (or rebelled against God). This brought the curse of sin and death into the world and it remains with us to this day; which separates us from God. God though, loved His creation (mankind) so much that He worked through history to redeem all mankind that would turn to Him from sin so that we can experience a full and perfect relationship with Him again. This was through the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the pay for sins. Accepting this free gift from God, makes you new and forgiven. All you have to do accept this free gift by repenting and believing in the Lord Jesus and you will get to experience the good side of God’s justice forever. So, now that you know this, you can no longer plead ignorance. I invite and urge you to respond today non-believer and apply this to every part of your life believers in the audience today.

With that, Let’s conclude. Brothers and Sisters, I love you all. During our last song together, if you need prayer, or want to talk more about Jesus, or have something you want to talk about, I’ll be here, don’t be afraid to come on down. Let’s pray. Father God, we thank You for who You are and what You are doing to us here in this place. May whatever it is that You are doing in each of heart here, continue as we leave go out into the world this week. Change us, mold us, make us, re-arrange us, that we can be both better lovers of You and better showers of You. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.