Matthew Chapter 3:1-12 “Prepare the way of the Lord”

INTRODUCTION INTO STUDY

In this study we’ll be looking at Matthew 3:1-12 and diving into a bit of John The Baptist’s ministry. We’ll be looking at his approach to preparing and teaching others about the coming of Jesus, and how it ties to us current day as we do the same - knowing Christ is coming once again and we’ll all be standing face to face with Him in our coming future. There’s really enough here for us to dive into that we could spend days on end looking at how each verse ties back to the rest of the Scripture. However, we’re going to try to narrow things down into a few overarching points. First let’s read through the passage and talk about what we see: SCRIPTURE READING & OBSERVATIONS

verses 1-3 John preached with a sense of urgency. Why? Because he knew who was coming! He also made sure to let those he preached to know, “repent!” Something I’m afraid many of our preachers forget to explain. God has incredible grace and mercy - He’s willing and able to work with anyone, but only if they turn from their sin (Ezekiel 18:21-23)! Look at the apostle Paul, he persecuted Christians and God still offered him grace, and when Paul repented and followed Him - God did nothing short of amazing work with Paul’s life. However, he had to repent and turn from his old ways. So, repent! We know right from wrong, and as we read the scriptures and we grow in our walks with the Good Lord we only gain more clarity. Meaning, if you know what you’re doing isn’t what God has called you to do / wants you to be doing, drop it and let Him know you’re sorry, and His grace will be laid upon you - fully covering and wiping away your sin, leaving you clean once again. verse 4 Isn’t it interesting that we hear such detail about John’s appearance and diet? Why do you think that might be? Well, it seems it could be an example. Followers of God are not to be of this world (Romans 12:2). John definitely was not worried about the typical Judean fashion, or enjoying the various foods the city had to offer. Now, this doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy having a style or the wonderful foods God has put on this earth for us, but John helps paint us a picture that we should look at and consider. John knew his mission, and he stuck to that mission putting God’s calling above and beyond anything else of this world. How different would we begin to look and act if we truly put God’s calling and mission first in our lives? What typical addictions that so much of us suffer from, gluttony of food and belongings, over spending, etc. would slowly fade away? verses 5-6 I love the passion of those who find God in the Scriptures. It’s actually very similar to a lot of the world today. We just aren’t accustomed to seeing such intensity and quick commitment here in the Western world. We’re a little “too smart” and a little “too logical” to dive into salvation and aligning ourselves fully with God’s commandments. However, look at these people. Jerusalem, all Judea, and wait - the whole territory - were coming to John seeking truth, looking to know more about the coming Lord. These people would have been walking, riding donkeys, taking on long trips across less than desirable land, so they might know more about God. We on the other hand have cars, radios, the internet, our phones, and most likely Bibles throughout our houses. We have so many Bibles we have several packed away in our storage containers! Still, we struggle to read even a chapter a day. We feel so very righteous when we see it’s raining and we get into our cozy vehicles and drive to church - “At least 3 drops hit me today on the way in to church Lord, I do expect 3 blessings for that persecution. Don’t let me down!” Here we also see that those who came were not only baptized, but “confessing” their sins. Confess and repent. Be baptized in the name of the Lord. verses 7-10 In this section it becomes clear that John sees the same people coming to him as we see today - those who don’t believe in the Messiah or even anything past this current life (the Sadducees), and then those who have created their own Christianity, with their own rules and regulations, using religion for self glorification amongst those around them (Pharisees) - and he calls them out for it! He is calling them vipers, which at the time would be an insult of their character, very easily implying they are poisonous sneaks, and asks them who warned them to seek baptism and repentance, because he knows they don’t care one bit about what he’s presenting. He then brings up the point that it’s not just a one time thing to repent and receive a baptism, but this is a lifelong pledge, one that should be seen and be multiplied - “bearing fruit.” He also explains they can’t just fall back on their heritage - being offspring of Abraham, because that doesn’t mean anything to God! The God of creation who set this world in motion is not impressed by that. He could create new offspring out of thin air if He wanted, He could turn rock into offspring of their forefather - God isn’t limited by time, space, or nature. How many of us find comfort and salvation in the fact we were raised in the church? In the fact our family is a family of Christians? In the fact we weren’t able to stray too far from God because we were kept close to God? But is that even our religion, or are we basing our salvation off of the religion that has surrounded us. There comes a time we need to make that choice, no matter what our surroundings and circumstances are - we will and would follow Jesus. Finally, he finishes by explaining the time is approaching when God will pass judgment on those who do not bear the fruit of repentance and a life planted in him (that time is approaching quickly for all of us - one car crash, one diagnosis, and we’re standing before God). He will cut down those who aren’t contributing. Where are we right now? Do we have fruit? Are we grounded in the rich soil of Christ’s love and instruction? verses 11-12 Then what does John go on to explain? He goes on to explain that he is only the stepping stone to the Messiah. He humbles himself in comparison to the Messiah, “whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.” How important it is to remember we are not looking to glorify ourselves, we are only looking to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31). He explains that he, John the Baptist, is baptizing with water for repentance, but the Messiah will be baptizing with the Holy Spirit and Fire. He isn’t limited by this earth and its many limitations, but he will control the powers of this earth and beyond. John again does something here that we in the church today are afraid to do - be honest with others of the power of our God and outcome of choosing a life separated from Him. Why do we do this? Would we ever take our children, nieces or nephews, and teach them how to float in a wading-pool they can easily stand in, then take them out into the ocean during a hurricane and throw them overboard expecting them to survive? No! We need to let others know the whole story, so that when the storms come, they know why and how to make it through. There is something much bigger than this current moment. The race of the Christian walk isn’t a short sprint, but it’s a life long marathon with two incredibly differing outcomes - eternity in literal heaven or eternity in literal hell. John is not afraid to explain both Christ as a savior, “He will clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn,” and as the judge, “but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.” It’s awfully hard to be a savior when you aren’t saving anyone from anything. Tell the whole story. Teach those who have come to you to learn about our God all that you know about Him. Don’t be embarrassed or fear His character for He is an amazing God (Matthew 10:33). TAKEAWAYS

So what do we learn from this section? There seem to be two concepts going hand in hand, which always should: how we approach ministry and our understanding of the authority of our savior Jesus Christ. Ministry

1. Paving the path for Jesus & Paving the path to Jesus - First and foremost, the most important part of ministry is directing others to Christ. Don’t seek your own praise on this by using ministry as a tool to show how religious you are (Pharisees did this). Of course, we should all look to emulate Christ the best we can, but only to glorify God with our respect and love for Him, which in return will act as a witnessing tool. Look how John humbles his ministry in comparison to what Christ offers - we need to do the same. We can’t save, and believe me, that is a struggle most of us experience our entire lives. We want to tell someone the exact words they need to hear to find God. We want to live and direct their lives for them so they can see what we see and have what we have, but we can’t. Paul, a most likely much better follower of Christ than any of us will ever be, knew this. In 1 Corinthians 3:6 he states “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” He understood his roll, which is the roll we all play. We can plant the seeds, and we can even water them, but we can’t grow them. Who can grow them? Only Christ can grow them! It’s not through us that others make it to heaven, but only through Jesus who we must point them to. Jesus explains this in John 14:6 saying “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” So, lay the groundwork down for others to find the Messiah who came and is coming once again, because He and only He, gives life!

2. Urgency & passion - we should have both an urgency & passion to our ministry. This doesn’t mean overbearing, and this doesn’t mean forcing it (notice the people came to John knowing what he offered - he wasn’t in the city square just screaming for everyone to repent). However, when presented the opportunity we should excitedly share the gospel story! We have the cure to the worst disease there ever was. One that leads to death every time. However, we have a cure - a cure that leads those who take it to not only heal, but to gain a new body in a new world, where none of this pain or disease will ever be found again. We’re offering a doorway to literal heaven!

3. Be honest, speak the truth, know your audience - “Repent,” John tells those who’ve come to him, not just selling God’s love but explaining how they can enjoy and gain that love - through grace and mercy brought by repentance. He explains the side effects of living a life that doesn’t display the characteristics of being a follower of God - it’s death, it’s Hell, a word we are embarrassed to say, because we know it turns so many off. However, it worked with us didn’t it? God let it show up throughout the Scriptures and He must have had a reason for it. Let’s trust the word God gave us. The word that when made flesh became our savior, Jesus Christ (John 1:14). Let’s also be smart. Throughout the Gospels it explains that Jesus knew the intent of those asking Him questions, and he answered accordingly. Sometimes, not saying anything at all! Here John shows us that exact same mentality. He sees the Pharisees and Sadducees and he speaks accordingly. How often do we engage with those who only look to destroy us? God has made it so clear that we can be smart with how we approach these situations. Be smart, don’t let evil mock you and look for an opening to make a fool of you in front of others, or to persecute you and your beliefs if you don’t have to.

Understanding Who Christ Is

1. He brings heaven to us - “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” What makes heaven heaven? God and his glory and beauty on full display - mercy, grace, love, and perfection. Jesus being born into the world meant God had now come directly to us in hopes we would believe in his power, love, and majesty, which would allow us to receive our inheritance of heaven spent alongside of Him.

2. He doesn’t care about what the world does (worldly success, heritage, etc.) - “For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.” Unlike other religions, the only thing that matters in this life is glorifying God. It doesn’t matter our race, ethnicity, our hometown, our height, strength, education, background, past, etc. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” It doesn’t say “for He so loved those with Phd’s,” or “for He so loved the Americans,” or “for He so loved the tall, strong, and beautiful,” but it says “for God so loved the world.” The entire world. That means He died for everyone on this planet. He loves His creation (Genesis 1:31). Just think every step along the way to creating the earth we live on, including our creation, God said it was “good,” and when He was finished He looked over all of it and said “it was very good.” He didn’t say it was bad. He didn’t say “well this part is good, but this part I’m not to happy with.” God looks at His creation, and sin aside, He sees good! He loves you and me even with all the flaws in our skin, health, past, etc. None of our pain and suffering was ever in His initial design. We, in the free will He lovingly gave us, have created the mess we are currently in. The mess that, thanks to God’s incredible love for us, led Him to take human form and die for us to cover our deserving punishment, so we could escape it and find His design without flaw once again!

3. Jesus, our Lord, judge, and savior has all power - “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit & Fire…He will clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn, but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.” Jesus, is our judge, but how lucky are we, that the one who has the power to send us to hell gave His life and a direct path through Himself to avoid it? Jesus is literally holding a “get out of jail free card” for each one of us - all we have to do is ask and we get to be saved! Our judge loves us dearly, and wants us to have every chance possible to avoid judgement, and on top of that, He has all power over the natural world (fire), but the spiritual as well (Holy Spirit).

DAILY APPLICATION What this passage gives us to consider and put into practice is this: Our ministry is to pave the way to and for Christ. Everyday we should be praying and meditating on how we can do this - whether it’s how we speak to our co-workers, how we spend our money & time, or how we use the gifts God has given us (no matter how big or small they may seem). Every inch of this life and our ministry should have this focus, and we should have a great desire and passion for it! Next, we need to understand in our own walks and explain to others, that in order to receive God’s grace and salvation we need not only to believe in Him, but also we need to repent of our sin and leave our sins behind (Ezekiel 18:21-23). Lastly, in all of this, we need to remember that the one we are leading others to, the one we repent to, is all powerful and has all power over heaven and earth (what we see and don’t see). Yes, He is the judge that can literally send us to Hell for all eternity, but He’s the judge who has called each one of us by name to the bench and whispered “I love you, and I know all the evidence is against you, but if you trust me, and will follow my lead…I will declare your innocence.” Our judge desires we live, and desires we live alongside of Him in heavenly eternity (2 Peter 3:9)!

INTO THE WORLD So, let’s go out into the world, and in all we do bring glory Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and direct others to Him!

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