Matthew 3:1-12
“The Herald’s Anthem”
Vs. 1-4 The Voice in the Wilderness
Vs. 5-12: Preparing the Way of the Lord
Intro.
Phrases of old sayings are interesting to me. Have you ever wondered where we come up with sayings? May I give you one? “Honeymoon.” Those of us who are married most likely went on a “Honeymoon,” but where did we get the word? It comes from an old Babylonian practice dating some 4000 years ago. It seems that for a month after the wedding, the bride’s father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead beer he could drink.
Mead beer is a beer made from honey, and the Babylonians based their calendar upon the lunar month; thus, this time became known as the “honey month,” or as we say today, the “honeymoon.” This morning we are going to get further insight into stories that, like some phrases, we are very familiar with but often don’t know where it comes from.
All of a sudden here, John the Baptist walks onto the pages of Matthew. We left off with Jesus at about 2 years of age living in a little town called Nazareth, and here some 28 years have passed with nothing recorded. Luke 2:41 records for us the time when Jesus was 12 and went to the temple with his folks, but other than that, we are not told anything else.
There are other outside stories concerning the early life of Jesus and some fanciful things about Him going to India, but nothing historically correct. So what did happen with Jesus during these 28 years? Will Luke does tell us again in the second chapter prior to His episode when He was 12 that He “grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” I just believe that the same thing took place after He was 12 as it had before He was 12.
Vs. 1-4 The voice in the wilderness
Vs.1 The first words of Matthew are quite striking: “In those days.” What days? 28 years have passed and Matthew does not record one event, then he starts with, “In those days…” I believe that what Matthew refers to is found in the last verse of the second chapter, where we read that they “dwelt in a city called Nazareth.”
In other words, in the days that Jesus dwelt in a city called Nazareth, John the Baptist came preaching. It is not possible that John started preaching 28 years earlier, for he was only 6 months older than Jesus (Luke 1:36). All this verse tells us is that John started preaching while Jesus was still in Nazareth.
Now we can cheat here and go to Luke’s account and find out all about John, but seeing we are not in Luke but Matthew, we need to ask ourselves why Matthew does not include the story.
1.) First, it is important to know that for 400 years the Jews had not heard a single prophet saying a word from the Lord to them. The last word they were told was in Mal. 3:1, where we are told, “Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me.” After this word, 400 years of silence, then we are given this news of John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness.
2.) Second, it is clear that the point of the messenger was to prepare the way before the Lord, so what was important was not the messenger but the message. Perhaps at Christmas the U.P.S. driver came by to drop off a package for you. I bet you didn’t go over to him and ask him his background or where he came from; you were not interested in that you wanted to get into what he brought you; the package is what was important, not the one who dropped it off.
3.) Third, we are told that he came “preaching in the wilderness of Judea.” John came to an area described as a wilderness, which is a place situated along the Dead Sea to the east of Jerusalem. It does not mean that it was not populated, but it does mean that there was not a large population. The word preacher means to proclaim as a public cryer. You have probably seen movies with these guys who would cry out to the public the message of the King; that is what the word means.
Do you not find it a bit interesting that John went to a sparsely populated area to give out the message? I find it symbolic that John came to the wilderness, a dry land, a place where not many people were, because that was where Israel was at the time. They were dry spiritually, and there was only a small remnant that was following God, so John went out to the little villages.We are so impressed today with large works, but you know God is into the small as well.
Vs.2 Here we are given his message, which is twofold.
A.) The first word was “repent.” It does not mean just to feel sorry, but rather to change one’s direction. In the original, it means to change one’s mind, but the truth is, if a person has really changed their mind, then they have changed their direction as well. In light of what we often see today as the gospel, I find it interesting that John’s message was simply to repent. We are so afraid of being called judgmental today if we dare tell people to change directions in their lives. Would you be a self-righteous jerk or a hero if you got out of your car to try to stop another car from going the wrong way on a one-way freeway ramp?
B.) Second, John told them the reason why they needed to have this change of direction, “for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This phrase occurs 32 times in this gospel and is not found any other place in the N.T. Remember that Matthew was writing to the Jews, so they understood this no doubt to be what the prophet Daniel spoke of in 2:44, where he said that “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”
John was telling the people that the rule of heaven over the earth was about to begin. You cannot have a kingdom without a king, so what John was telling them is that the kingdom was going to be present in the person of the king.
The “kingdom of heaven” is the rule of Jesus over the world. That is not happening today, that is to say we do not yet see the whole world under His rulership. In Rev. we are told in chapter 5 that He has the title deed to the earth, than in 11:15 “we read that”…there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
Then finally, at the seventh bowl of judgment upon the earth, we are told, “It is done!” (16:17). It is clear from our present-day circumstances that Christ is not reigning in a physical realm, yet He is reigning in a spiritual realm, in the hearts of those who have acknowledged Him as King. We are told this in Col. 1:13: “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” We belong to Him now and are already seated with Him in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6).
Do you see what John is telling you—that you better have a change of direction in your life because the King is here? Oh, He may not be knocking heads yet, but that does not mean that He is not the King. He has come to purchase the world back, which man gave over to Satan. Folks, you are either serving one of two kings, the ruler of this world or the King of Kings!
Vs.3 We are told by Matthew that all of this was done as the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3. All John was is one preparing the hearts of the people for Jesus. He was making the road of people’s hearts straight so that the salvation from sin that Jesus would offer would be easily received.
Vs.4 Here we are told what he wore and what he ate. Now why do you think that is important? Well, no doubt, it was a strange sight, clearly one that was very much separate from a life of luxury and worldliness. But I think there is another reason for this as well.
Let’s look for a moment at Jesus’ words in 11:7–14. “As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You. Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women, there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.”
Do you see that? Jesus is clearly painting a picture of ministry connection between John and Elijah, and if you read 2 Kings 1:8, you will see that they dressed alike: “He was a man with a garment of hair and with a leather belt around his waist.” But more than that, their ministries were alike. John was a man born into a priestly home, yet he was simple; his heart is revealed by what he wore—a camel’s hair—it was rough cloth worn by the prophets of old. His food was of a humble nature.
Vs. 5-12: Preparing the Way of the Lord
Vs. 5-6 Here we are given the positive effects of his ministry. Two things stand out here: 1.) The great response of people to the message. Notice that crowds went out to him. If you wanted to know what was going on, you went out to see. What this reveals is a great work of the Holy Spirit. The hearts of the people were full. Though it says “all” the people, it is clear that it means a great deal went to see and hear.
2.) The response of the hearts of the people. You will not find the ordinance of baptism in the OT associated with repentance for the Jews. Jews began baptizing Gentile converts about the same time as John, but circumcision still remained the primary entrance rite into Judaism. So for these people to come out to be baptized was radical. It shows that they had a great awareness of sin, and they were broken to the point of wanting to symbolize a change in their lives. They confessed their sins and were baptized, showing repentance.
Vs.7-12 John clearly accuses them of wanting to appear anxious for the Messiah but not truly repenting and preparing their hearts.
A.) Vs.8 So he declares that they must show repentance in a changed life, not mere words.
B.) Vs.9 Next, she warns them to quit trusting in their heritage. They can’t trust another man’s repentance; it must be their own. There are a great many today who, if you ask them if they are going to go to heaven, will say, “Why, yes! because I’m Catholic, or Presbyterian, or Calvary Chapel.”
C.) Vs.10 John now tells them that God is going to judge them for not producing fruit. The tree must have the right kind of root to produce the right kind of fruit; thus, the ax was at the root. Now, I’m about to get rid of this willow tree that is in my backyard, and several guys are going to come over and chop that tree down, but that won’t kill it. They say I’m going to have to get at its roots to kill it.
D.) Vs. 11 John’s baptism was an outward sign of a changed life, but John is here saying that this just prepares a heart. He is not the one that changes a life; he is not even worthy to be the lowest of His servants as to carry His sandals. Simply put, John does not consider himself to be any better than the ones he is preaching. Folks, that is true this morning; I’m not any better than you all. All I can do is point you to Jesus.
E.) Vs.12 The “winnowing fan” was used to blow the wheat chaff from the nut that remained on the floor. They would come with these fans and whip them over the threshing floor to cleanse the floor from the waste, so they could gather the grain.
Folks, let’s hear John’s message. The time is now soon; Jesus will be coming; the signs are all around. It is time for us to have a change in our lives; it is time for us to turn around. You’re going in the wrong direction.
Matthew 3:13-17
“The Kings Coronation”
Vs. 13-15 The Baptism
Vs. 16: The Anointing
Vs. 17: The Voice From Heaven
Intro.
I came across this information this week for any of those skepticals. A news article by Bill Hendrick from the Cox News Service (1/7/98). Titled “Do the math: Several new scientific books offer up mind-numbing numbers backing the belief in a ‘creator’ of the universe.” The article goes on to say, much to the disappointment of Mr. Hendrick, that
According to the mathematical equations of a new book by Washington scholar Dean Overman, they prove beyond reasonable doubt that there is a “creator.” He goes on to say that “The Bible didn’t tell him so, but probability theory did, as well as new discoveries in microbiology and the exquisitely precise laws of physics.” Overman is a 54-year-old member of MENSA, an international society of geniuses, and he explains in detail what only scientists could fathom when he concludes in “A Case Against Accident and Self Organization,” better known as “evolution.” He further states, “That the odds that life evolved by random chance are infinitesimally small.”
How small? “Smaller, he says, than the odds that a tornado swooping over a junkyard could accidentally construct a 747 from debris sucked into its vortex; smaller than the odds that a monkey with a typewriter could, in a few billion years, randomly type out the sonnets of Shakespeare; smaller than the odds of hitting a housefly on a wall on the other side of the universe with a single unaimed rifle shot.”
Hendrick in his article goes on to say, “Overman, who has studied at Harvard, Berkeley, and the University of Chicago and holds degrees in science and law, is far from alone in insisting that math and physics can prove what theologians ask us to take on faith: that the universe that spawned life could not be a product of mere chance. Dozens of books are being published around the world by physicists, biologists, neurologists, and other scientists, all offering “proof” of what they call “intelligent design.”
All too often, the world is looking for reasons not to believe instead of reasons for trusting in Jesus. As we come upon the baptism of Jesus, many people question the reason for it. G. Campbell Morgan says this: “The value of His dying depends upon the virtue of His living.” Folks, it is my prayer that as we look at this event, you will fall all the more in love with Jesus.
Vs. 13-15
There are three specific events recorded by Matthew concerning the baptism of Jesus: the baptism, the anointing, and the voice from heaven. This event has been a mystery to some, which we will clear up. The great question of this event is even mentioned by John the Baptist in verse 14, where we read, “John tried to prevent the baptism, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” Why did the sinless Jesus need to be baptized with the baptism of repentance? You will remember that “repent” means a change of mind, which results in a change of direction. Jesus was not going the wrong direction; mankind clearly is, but not Jesus. So why was He baptized?
Note: Before we look at this individually, let us look at this together in light of humanity. When we elect a president, there are three things that take place on the day he assumes office. The same is true of a king.
A.) First, he accepts responsibility for the people of that nation or the subjects of the kingdom; it is safe to say that in so doing he identifies with the people and their great needs. Usually there is an oath he takes or something of that sort. (The baptism)
B.) Second, he is empowered or crowned with the authority to execute his office. After he has agreed to take the responsibility of the people, he is crowned or empowered to do what is necessary for the good of the nation or people. (The anointing)
C.) Third, there is a declaration of the powers that be that the president or king is the right man for the job. Again, this follows the first two, and it is the statement from the representatives of the people that this is the ruler of the people, and he is ready to set out on the mission to which he has been appointed too. (The Voice from Heaven)
Having said this, perhaps you can see the importance of the three aspects of Jesus’ baptism. Jesus was the King, coming into the beginning of His earthly reign; thus, His baptism is His coronation! And as Matthew writes the events down, they clearly show just that.
The Baptism
Vs. 13-15 Here we have recorded the event of the baptism of Jesus.
A.) Vs.13 First note the word “then Jesus came from Galilee.” What this word does is connect us to time. Jesus came to be baptized by John at a time when there was a great moral awakening in the nation. People were coming out to John in a great move of God as they were coming to the understanding of personal sin and failure. It was at this time that Jesus came.
A voice had cried in the wilderness, and people had responded in an overwhelming way; they acknowledged publicly that where they were was the wrong direction, for it was not the way that God had intended man to live, thus they wanted to change directions in their lives. Jesus had lived in seclusion for 28 years, and it is now time for Him to assume His office. In Luke 4:43 Jesus said this, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.”
B.) Vs.13 Next, note that His coming at this time was for a specific purpose: “to be baptized by John.) He did not come to listen to John, nor was He just curious as were some; no, he came to be baptized; that is why he left the secluded life of Nazareth. Again, we often say to our public officials that they are now in private life after they retire. Jesus was at this moment leaving behind Him forever “private life.” Why He would say later in Matt. 8:20, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” That was his public life!
C.) Vs.14 Just for a moment, imagine this scene. John had baptized thousands in that river; he had looked into the repentant faces of each of them and without hesitation baptized each one of them. Now here comes Jesus down by the edge of the water, and John looks into His eyes and sees absolute perfection. Folks, we read in John 1:26 that Jesus had been there standing in the midst of them, and they did not know it. There was nothing outwardly that distinguished Him from all the others, yet He was very different inwardly, for He was without sin.
1.) So far as the human life of Jesus was concerned—clearly what John was looking at—there was no place for baptism in Jesus’s life. In fact, it was John, according to his own words, that needed to be baptized by Jesus. Baptism declares the superiority of the spiritual realm over the physical realm. There was nothing Jesus needed to repent of, nothing out of order in His spiritual life; it was superior over the physical realm. So why did Jesus get baptized? Clearly, baptism did not have a place in the life of Jesus! So if not in the life of Jesus, as John notices, what place did it fit?
2.) Vs.15 Here we are given the answer by Jesus, in the first words spoken by Him in this book.
- Note first that Jesus does not deny the truth of what John said, “Permit it to be so now.” He tells us that. In other words, Jesus is saying, “Your right, John, this baptism has no place in My earthly life.
- Next, Jesus tells us in what place this baptism did belong: “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” What this reveals is that what they were about to do in the baptism was something that they were both to do, and that its purpose was for the fulfillment of righteousness. So what did this baptism show?
- Namely that of His identification with the people. Read what Paul tells us in 2 Cor. 5:21, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” In Isa. 53, we read of the Messiah that he was numbered with the transgressors. Here then we see the King coming on that great day of His coronation, accepting the responsibility for the people over whom He was to reign, meeting them in their deepest need and failure.
Notice as well that this was understood in the scriptures as to what the King would do, “to fulfill,” which is in accordance with the scriptures. The King could not save the people unless He could come down to where they were at. By going to where the people were at—their failure—Jesus acknowledges their need and at the same time proclaims the remedy. By Him submitting to the plan of the Father going down under the earth, He will bring up those who trust in Him. So by Jesus going down into those waters where the people had acknowledged their sins and failures, He alone takes the responsibility for their failure and commits Himself to the cause of saving them! Folks, that is the baptism of Jesus; that’s what it is all about, identification.
The Anointing
Vs. 16 It is an interesting fact that the High Priest, upon the day of his coronation, was first ceremonially washed with water (baptized), then he was “anointed with oil,” which is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. It is to this anointing that we now turn our attention.
Immediately after Jesus’s baptism, we see the anointing. There is little doubt that the only ones aware of the anointing of the Holy Spirit were John and Jesus. But the greater question is: what is the meaning of this?
A.) First, this was not the first time Jesus and the Holy Spirit were together. There is, of course, a permanent relationship between them, for they had been together for all of eternity.
B.) Second, according to 1:20, His incarnation was a result of the Holy Spirit. That is to say Jesus, as in, no other person was born of the Holy Spirit. We are born “again” of the Holy Spirit, but Jesus was “conceived, begotten” physically of the Holy Spirit.
Thirdly, according to Luke 2:40, 52 Jesus’s development, physically as well as spiritually, had been under the control of the Holy Spirit. We read that “the child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.” And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
So when Jesus came to the baptism, He was a man of the Spirit of God more than any other man that had ever been. He was a man that lived totally dependent upon the Spirit of God, in complete fellowship with Him at all times. He lived under the Spirit’s power and illumination. Therefore, without question, this is a special anointing a public one as He entered His public life.
1.) The Spirit of God never appears under the figure of a dove anywhere else except here. The dove, like the lamb, were gentile creatures, but more than that, they are both types of animals used for the sacrifice. In the book of Leviticus, we read of the types of sacrifices that were used for sin offerings. In Lev. 5:6-7 we are told that the people were to bring a “trespass offering to the LORD for his sin which he has committed, a female from the flock, a lamb, or a kid of the goats as a sin offering. So the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin. And if he is not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring to the LORD, for his trespass which he has committed, two turtledoves or two young pigeons: one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering.”
You see, the dove was the lowest possible sacrifice. If you did not have a bull, you could offer a lamb, but if you did not have a lamb, you could offer a dove.
2.) So upon hearing of this or reading this dove descending upon Jesus, the Jew would think of the sacrifice for sin, the lowest offering for those who could not afford anything else. The Holy Spirit full of “power” coming upon Him, equipping Him for the purpose of sacrifice. This was an anointing not for preaching but for living in order that He might be sacrificed for our sin offering, not just for the wealthiest but for those who could not afford anything else. Here then Jesus is crowned with power to be our sacrifice! That is the meaning of the Holy Spirit, like a dove coming upon Him.
The Voice From Heaven
That the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were all manifested at the same time. The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus the Son, while the voice of the Father is heard. Now according to Deut. 6:4, the foundational teaching of Judaism, we read, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!” The word “one” is a compound unity 1x1x1. Not three gods, but one God existing in three persons, seen here.
1.) The moment the Jews would have heard this, they would have thought of the 2nd Psalm, verse 7, where we read, “I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.” Here in this Psalm, God’s King is asking for the nations for an inheritance.
It is here that this prophecy is fulfilled on the banks of the river, with people around the Father declaring the truth that His son is going to possess the nations as an inheritance. Do you see how? Why, it is because of His sacrifice for our sins that He will possess them again. Eph. 1:18 tells us that we have become God’s inheritance because of Jesus’ sacrifice.
2.) Secondly, this is not the son of Joseph and Mary; no, Jesus is the Father’s Son. The world was waiting like today for the coming of Christ. Jesus is the Father’s only choice; therefore, He is our only choice. The Father is marking out His choice for King; He is setting Jesus out on the mission that for all eternity He was called to, winning back those that trust in Him.
3.) Thirdly, the Father says He is well pleased! The Father is saying that Jesus is the only sacrifice that will be accepted. Jesus has done what no other had ever done or could do—live a life without sin. Now if you’re here this morning and you have never sinned, then you don’t need Jesus, but if you have never sinned, then you have truly come to the wrong church because we are all a bunch of sinners. So by coming here, you have just sinned in that you have come here.
In conclusion, in this baptism Jesus assumes responsibility for sinning mankind; He is anointed or crowned with power to be that sacrifice, and the Father declares that He is the only right choice for that office.
4.) Lastly, the Father is well pleased with the fact of Jesus being baptized, taking on the role of the sacrifice for our sins. Here the cross is in view by the Father, and though it will be yet another 3 years, the Father is already saying it will be accepted.