Today's lesson comes from Matthew 3: 1-17. As we begin the study of Matthew, it is important to know something about the author and the content of this book. Matthew was a publican, that is a tax collector. He worked for the Roman government and as a result, he was despised by his fellow Jews. His call to follow Jesus is recorded in three gospels (Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2: 14-17; Luke 5: 27-32). The only time Matthew mentions his name is when he is listing the twelve apostles. His book was written for the Jews, showing them that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, their King. Thus, you will see many Old Testament quotes and references. He will allude often to Jewish customs.
Matthew seeks to answer the questions that would have been asked about Jesus, "Where did He come from? What does He believe? What can He do?" In the first ten chapters of his book, Matthew will answer them. Chapters 1-4 discuss "The prince Presented." Then, in chapters 5-7, the topic is "The Principles Proclaimed." Finally, in chapters 8-10, he writes about "The Power Preeminent."
The first section is "The Voice of Man vv. 1-12 The Prophet." Four hundred years had elapsed since there had been a prophetic voice in Israel. No prophet had stood to declare God's judgment or mercy. There had just been silence. Then along comes John the Baptist.
A. Preaching (vv. 1-4) John came preaching. Top preach meant to "be a herald, to proclaim." He did not speak for himself, he spoke for his superior. His message was radical (verses 1-4). Consider his arrival, his appearance, his activity, his alarm, his authority, and his announcement. He came with a message from God. That message was repentance (verse 2). Repentance was the very center of the Jewish faith. Jewish repentance included:
1. Acknowledge the wrong: not a mistake; sin was a choice.
2. Restitution: do what you could to undo the damage; this included asking for forgiveness.
3. Quit: resolve not to sin that way again. The test was, if the occasion to repeat is presented twice, you have not met this condition. Only the third test demonstrated you had quit the sin.
The message was reformation (verse 3). Repentance brought reformation. The mandate was clear, prepare your heart by true repentance and reform your life.
B. The Proclamation (verses 5,6) John was baptizing people who were confessing their sins. To be "baptized" meant to change identity, to change appearance, and maybe change relationship. Too the Jew, baptism included the idea of cleansing and consecration to a new identity or a new relationship.It was a confession of sin that led to conversion with a public proclamation that one's life had been changed, cleansed from the past, and consecrated to Jesus Christ.
C. The Probation (verses 7-10) The Jews that had returned from Babylon had adopted the formalism of the Pharisees and the skepticism of the Sadducees. John had seen the failures of the Jews to have a real relationship with God. Therefore, he would not baptize someone until there was a public declaration of repentance and confession. John was not a smooth talking preacher. He rebuked them as a generation of vipers (v. 7), and called on them to have true baptism of repentance that would produce fruit (v. 8), and informed them that their lineage would not save them, and that their probation was coming to an end (v. 10). The axe was going to be laid at the root, not the fruit. It would be cut down and burned. This did occur in 70A.D. when Rome destroyed the temple.
D. The Pentecost (verses 11, 12) In this section, we see the contrasting works between John the Baptist and Jesus the Messiah. John baptizes with water for repentance and Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit for cleansing. This points to the two works of grace. In salvation, your sins are forgiven. These are your actual transgressions. When you are baptized with the Holy Spirit, you are cleansed from your sinful nature. Sins are what you do and the sinful nature is what you are. Thank God, Jesus' blood takes care of both problems!When you review the metaphors of fire, fan, and axe, you can see the radical nature of the works. There are two works of grace because it truly is "holiness or hell!"
The second section is "The Voice of the Messiah vv. 13-16 The Prince." This section is about the inauguration of God's King. This is the beginning of His public ministry. Jesus had no sin to confess, so He did not need to be baptized. However, He did so to answer the Old Covenant and look toward the New Covenant.
A. The Messiah Identifies (verses 13-15) In this section, Jesus identifies with humanity. He was the God-man. In the Old Testament, God would sometimes invade human history in a miraculous way. Now, God invades humanity in a miraculous way through the incarnation. Jesus fulfilled every requirement, i.e. living a sinless life, to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Looking at the baptism metaphorically, Christ identifies with humanity by being "dipped and dyed" in human flesh. He became sin for us by becoming the perfect man without blemish.
b. The Spirit Inaugurates (verse 16) The Holy Spirit anointed Jesus Christ for service and empowered Him for public ministry. He does the same for us. Without the anointing of the Holy Spirit, our ministries will lack power and results. I remember an old preacher's comment referring to a carnal minister: "All thunder, no rain." This means he makes lots of noise, but nothing ever happens.
c. The Father Illuminates (verse 17) The Father confirms John's introduction of Jesus and His appointment for His Messianic work. It is important to note that this passage there is a complete statement of the Trinity. To deny the Trinity is to deny the faith and take oneself outside the family of faith.
The third section is "The Voice of Majesty. v. 17 The Pleasurable Father." All legitimate Christian messages begin in heaven. We have the living and written Word, anointed by the Holy Spirit, to bring about the perfect will of the Father. This verse makes clear that the Father has a voice and that Jesus is His Son. Without the effectual work of the Holy Spirit, ministry will be dry, lifeless and void of results. May we continue to see the Trinity at work in our lives, our work, and our ministry.
The Golden Text is: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3: 17) This verse is made up of two quotations. First, "This is my beloved Son," from Psalm 2: 7. Second, "in whom I am well pleased" from Isaiah 42: 1. At this point it was clear to Jesus that He was the chosen one of God and that His throne would be a cross.
My summary points:
1. True repentance is required for salvation.
2. Without the work of the Holy Spirit, our efforts will fail.
3. The Father has a plan and He will bring it about in His time.
Next week: "The Beatitudes." (Matthew 5: 1-12)
Please read the Sunday School Beacon for inspiration and encouragement.
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