John the Baptizer, the Royal Herald
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In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.’ ”
I. Intro point
I. John was a preacher, sent by God, to proclaim the arrival of the King (vs. 1-3)
I. John was a preacher, sent by God, to proclaim the arrival of the King (vs. 1-3)
All of the Gospels tell the story of the forerunner of Jesus
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
"In those days" about 30 years later.
"John the Baptist" literally, Baptizer
"Preaching" also, proclaiming, heralding
"In the 'Wilderness' (lit. desert)" prophetic implications
He was known for two things, his preaching, and obviously, his Baptism
What is John's Baptism? Is it the same as Christian Baptism?
It is not Christian Baptism.
And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Instead, John's Baptism matched his message
Remember, John was known for two things, first was his Baptism, second was his preaching
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
John's preaching had two elements, first was repentance
Repent, literally "to turn around to new actions."
The second element of John's preaching was the nearness of God's kingdom
This is the reason given for repenting
Messianic expectation
David's heir would rule
New heaven and earth
Regathering of Israel (or God's one elect people)
Inauguration of the new covenant
What is "the kingdom of heaven" and what does the phrase "at hand" mean?
There was not universal agreement but it was a common understanding that it meant a defeat of Rome and a time of prosperity for Israel, however, this seems opposed to what John was teaching.
Kingdom of God vs. Kingdom of Heaven
"At hand" means that it was near in time.
Matthew 3:3
For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.’ ”
Once again, Matthew references the OT, though in this case it is not the point of his text.
Instead, Matthew uses the OT to make a point about who John is.
John is the one who prepares the path for the Lord.
Even the Greek term used here for wilderness, which can also be translated "desert," points to the prophetic ministry.
I. Application point
The call of God to His people has always involved repentance and the person of Christ calls people to it. (3:1-3)
The call of God to His people has always involved repentance and the person of Christ calls people to it. (3:1-3)
Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
II. Intro point
II. John was a prophet who reached the people (3:4-6)
II. John was a prophet who reached the people (3:4-6)
Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
Verse 3 already pointed to the prophetic ministry of John but in this verse, even his clothing claims shows that he is a prophet.
His clothes also indicatede his humble state of being
This greatly contrasts an earthly king's herald.
Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
Notice the extent of John's ministry
"Jerusalem and all Judea and all the reagion aboiut the Jordan" the all words don't mean all the people but people from all the places close enough to hear about him.
They were confessing their sins
II. Application point
Repentance includes the confessing of sin (3:4-6)
Repentance includes the confessing of sin (3:4-6)
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? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 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. 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.
“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. 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.”
III. Introduction point
III. The coming kingdom demands either repentance or judgment (7-12)
III. The coming kingdom demands either repentance or judgment (7-12)
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?
Compare Pharisees/Sadducees
Coming to, not "coming for" or "coming to be"
"Brood of vipers"
Snakes were a symbol of deceit
Vipers in particular are known for their venom
"Who warned you" sounds harsh but Matthew, in quoting John the Baptist, seems to emphasizing the works of these people and how they are not consitant with repentance.
Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
This comand is John and Matthew clarifying the need for repentance that bears fruit.
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.
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.
“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.
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.”
III. Application point
Your repentance must be genuine and not merely a profession (7-12)
Your repentance must be genuine and not merely a profession (7-12)
Just as the Jews relied on their Abrahamic heratage, we sometimes rely on a prayer or profession
Reflection questions
Reflection questions
How does your lifestyle reflect your repentance?
Do you gain your confidence in your relationship with God from a prayer or your baptism? Or do you gain it from your current and continued faith, having seen God work to grow you to be like Christ?