A commercialized, materialistic Christmas often leaves out the greatest Christmas gift of all. How did John the Baptist prepare for our Savior? Let’s look at John’s preparation for Jesus in Matthew 3:1-12.
Preaching
Matthew 3:1 “In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was,”
John the Baptist preached that the kingdom was near (Matthew 3:1-2; 4:17). Preaching and teaching are VERY important to the life of the church. Preaching is a public announcement to unbelievers. Teaching is instructing believers to obey what Jesus commanded. That's what Jesus instructed (Matthew 28:19-20).
How Prepare
Matthew 3:2-3 “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’”
John called for repentance. Is something wrong with our modern world? Repentance is a change of heart about our life’s direction with hope for a new beginning. John wanted to see proof of repentance, fruit. The root cause of all our planet’s ills is spiritual and so is the solution.
Is repentance just a one time thing? Christian life is a continual repentance. Conversion is merely the beginning of a process of change. Our journey begins with small changes. The idea that we do not have perfect knowledge and the humility to learn new perspectives are indicative of ongoing repentance.
John was urgent, the “kingdom of heaven is near.” In military terms, God was establishing a beachhead and would eventually take over. God rules in the lives of those who accept him. The “kingdom of heaven has come near” is the same as saying God is now taking control.[1]
[1] The Gospel of Matthew, The New International Commentary of the New Testament, R. T. France, 2007, Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Co, p. 102
Preacher in Poor Country Clothes
Matthew 3:4 “John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.”
John was dressed in farmer’s clothes. He emphasized the often overlooked ingredient of repentance, a change of heart. After confession of sin, John ignored Levitical sin offerings, and instead emphasized baptism. His baptism of repentance prepared for a new high priest who would also baptize people with the Holy Spirit.
The Announcer
Matthew 3:5-6 “People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.”
John heralded an important announcement in the wilderness, at the edge of Roman control. This last of the Old Testament prophets was dressed in simple farming clothing reminiscent of Elijah. Israel crossed the Jordan to become God’s people in this wilderness. It was a fitting place to announce a revival.
Brood of Snakes
Matthew 3:7 “But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath?”
John the Baptist preached a discomforting call to repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 3:1-12). He called some religious leaders a brood of snakes, and to produce proof of a changed heart. In a selfish and corrupt world sometimes a confrontation with truth is needed?
Fruit
Matthew 3:8-10 “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”
Social gospel is a modern concept of a social responsibility highlighting love for neighbor. The idea of a social responsibility towards others is clearly evident among those who believe. John the Baptist told the Pharisees to show fruit of a changed heart. One such fruit is how we treat others.
Baptism of Fire
Matthew 3:11 “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
The baptism of fire has two possible meanings. The tongues of fire on the faithful at Pentecost (Acts 2), similar to water baptism on the head. It also means the unrepentant who choose hell over heaven are to be thrown into a lake of fire, more like an immersion baptism.
Why was God with us, Emmanuel, born as a helpless baby. Like the still, small voice that Elijah experienced, the power of God is often small or even unseen. There is great power in the good news that Jesus brought. May we truly hear that message and find miraculous power.
Never Ending Fire
Matthew 3:12 “He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”
John and Jesus’ disciples were disappointed that Jesus came to die for the world rather than conquer the world. What the world really needs is not another king like this world’s, but one who rules in our hearts and produces a fire that creates permanent change from the inside out.
Should we preach smooth things, or is there a better way? Is a revival of that message of repentance needed, that bitter pill which we really need for the healing of our world today? Repentance is preparation for the coming of the Christ?
Readings
1. Isaiah 11:1-10
1 Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. 2 And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 3 He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. 4 He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. 5 He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.
6 In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. 7 The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. 8 The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm. 9 Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord.
10 In that day the heir to David’s throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place.
The word of God.
The stump takes us back to the rootstock, David, a man after God’s own heart. That shoot is a second David growing from the stump. It is the Christ, will bring true justice and so change society that former enemies, symbolized by a wolf and a lamb, live together in peace.
2. Psalm 72:1-7; 18-19
A psalm of Solomon. 1 Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son. 2 Help him judge your people in the right way; let the poor always be treated fairly. 3 May the mountains yield prosperity for all, and may the hills be fruitful. 4 Help him to defend the poor, to rescue the children of the needy, and to crush their oppressors. 5 May they fear you as long as the sun shines, as long as the moon remains in the sky. Yes, forever!
6 May the king’s rule be refreshing like spring rain on freshly cut grass, like the showers that water the earth. 7 May all the godly flourish during his reign. May there be abundant prosperity until the moon is no more...
18 Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does such wonderful things. 19 Praise his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen!
Thus ends the reading from the Psalms.
Psalm 72 is a mandate for national rulers, be they kings, prime ministers or presidents, to love justice, treat the poor fairly and crush those who oppress the needy. A righteous king encourages righteousness in the people. Sadly, very few kings who reigned after David were righteous.
3. Romans 15:4-13
4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. 5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. 8 Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. 9 He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote:
“For this, I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing praises to your name.” 10 And in another place it is written, “Rejoice with his people, you Gentiles.” 11 And yet again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles. Praise him, all you people of the earth.” 12 And in another place Isaiah said, “The heir to David’s throne will come, and he will rule over the Gentiles. They will place their hope on him.”
13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Do we accept the failures of the weak? We all have weaknesses, be it judgmentalism, sexual problems, drunkenness, compulsive lying, anger, or lust. Do we accept others, just as Christ accepted us? Do we allow the Holy Spirit to do His job without interference, and lead us into all truth?
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Matthew 3:1-12 in Rhyme
In those days John the Baptist came
To the wilderness to proclaim
Repent of sins and turn to God
The Kingdom is near, not abroad
Isaiah speaking about John said
Shouting in the desert he spread
Prepare the way, the Lord’s coming
Clear the road for his forthcoming
John’s clothes were made from camel’s hair
And a leather belt he did wear
He ate locusts and wild honey
People came from the whole country
They went out to see and hear John
To confessed their sins they were drawn
He baptized them in the Jordan
And their leaders came to hearken
John denounced them, “You brood of snakes!”
Who warned you to flee when wrath breaks?
Where are your fruits of repentance
Sons of Abraham is no stance
God can make sons of Abraham
From these very stones in the land
Now the ax is poised and ready
To sever the roots of the trees
Every tree that has no good fruit
It’s chopped down and given the boot
I baptize people with water
But someone’s coming much greater
I’m not worthy his shoes to wear
He’ll baptize with Spirit and fire
He’ll separate the chaff and wheat
He’ll winnow and clean the floor neat
He’ll place the wheat into the store
Burn the chaff with eternal fire”
