We continue in our study in Matthew and in this study in Matthew 3, we are going to take a look at the message of the Kingdom that the messenger brings. It is important for us to understand who this messenger is, why he came and what he came to say. Otherwise, we will miss his message, the message of the Kingdom.
(A) The messenger and his cry (Matt 3:1-6)
As we examine the passage to understand the messenger and his cry, we will read the verses by asking the following questions of the verses — who, what, when, where?
Matthew 3:1 opens with an introduction to John the Baptist. In Luke 1:13-15, we learn of the circumstances surrounding his birth. He was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth in their old age. An angel appeared to Zechariah, telling him of John as an answer to their prayers and how he was to observe a specific lifestyle, lik that of the Nazarenes (Lk 1:15). He was equipped and filled with the Spirit even when he was in his mother’s womb (Lk 1:40).
In Matthew 3:2, we see that John came with a specific message. He preached a message of repentance for the Kingdom of God is at hand. This was foretold by the angel in Luke 1:16-17. John was to make ready for the Lord a people that are ready to receive the King coming to His kingdom. This kingdom spoken about in Daniel 2:44 is drawing near. The coming of Christ ushers in this kingdom. How? He will prepare them by helping them to turn to the Lord their God (Lk 1:16) and to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children (Lk 1:17). The latter signifies reconciliation between fathers and children. Luke 1:17 also mentions that he is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah. Elijah the prophet represented reformation, thus this messenger too, will come in this mould. It will be showed in his lifestyle, dressing and message.
In repentance, there is a turning to God and this also results in a restoration of relationships among themselves. Our rebellion may not take the form of taking up arms and exerting military might. Rather, we reject and disobey God’s word, and thus, the messenger is calling us to turn back to this King. John is calling them to repent and be ready for the King who is going to usher in the lasting, promised Kingdom.
When is this going to take place? Matthew 3:1 tells us that it took place “in those days”. A parallel passage in Luke 3:1-2 provides us with more details that we can cross-refer to historical evidence. This event happened in real time and space. This means that the accounts in Luke and Matthew was written about a real messenger, and thus it is a real message. As a result, it changes how we read His word and respond to it. Remember also the 400 years of silence that preceded this. God’s word finally came through John after a long period of silence. The first message that breaks the silence is this call to repent, for the Kingdom is at hand!
John’s preaching also takes place in a specific location — the wilderness of Judea (Matt 3:1). Zechariah, father of John, sings of the work that he is to do in Luke 1:76-79. In Luke 1:80, we are also told that John grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel. Why the wilderness? The wilderness is a place with nothing, and it means that he was not living a normal life with the people. Rather, he was set apart, and lived his life in preparation for his ministry and message.
In Matthew 3:3, Matthew quote Isaiah 40:3 and tells us the prophet Isaiah was referring to John in Isaiah 40:1-5. Reading Isaiah 40:1-5, we see that the prophet is coming is after a time when the people of God have rebelled against Him and are in exile. God previously spoke judgment but now He is speaking words of comfort. In their exile, though they are not where they are supposed to be, He calls them the city of Jerusalem, reminding them of their true identity. God speaks tenderly to them (Isa 40:2). It is in this context that the messenger speaks (Isa 40:3). It is a voice that is confident about what is come, and speaks with hope and gentle persuasion. It is not frazzled or rushed, and there is a sense of anticipation of what is to come. He is seeking to prepare God’s people for God’s arrival.
By quoting this passage in Matthew, Matthew is seeking to remind the people that God has not forgotten His people. God is initiating contact and removing all the obstacles to Him through John. This is John’s job and in doing so, it allows people to come to God in repentance and faith. John’s dressing and diet mirrors that of the prophet (Matt 3:4). His lifestyle reflects his role.
As a result, Jerusalem, and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him (Matt 3:5). They responded to the message. They had to leave their homes and make their journey to respond. There was a clear response to the call. As they were baptised, they confessed their sins (Matt 3:6). Thus, we see how those who heard the message also responded to it. Hearing led to conviction and remorse, and a confession, which is the admission of sin in entirety without hiding, a picture of turning away from sin and turning to God. Baptism was a sign of this inward reality.
This call to repentance is also for us. How do we respond to the message? Firstly, we cannot listen and go on with life unchanged. We are all called to respond — either to reject or to turn to Him in faith! There is hope and forgiveness in God as we confess our sins and come before Him. If you have not responded, don’t let this just go by.
If you have already done so, what does it look like for you daily? This is not something that we do just once. There is an act of daily repentance we are called to, to continue to turn away from our sins and to turn to God. Do not let guilt keep you from God and keep you from turning to God. Remember that He will not turn us away if we come to Him confessing our sins!
(B) The messenger and his warning (Matt 3:7-10)
3. What did Jesus himself say about the Pharisees and scribes? (Matt 23:13) What is the warning within John’s question? (v7) What are the 2 wrong ways to think about Repentance? (v8-9) What do the 2 illustrations say about the nature of God and his judgement? (v9b-10) What does this mean for us?
John sees the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism and he calls them “brood of vipers” (Matt 3:7a). He called them to bear fruit in keeping with repentance (Matt 3:8). These religious leaders added extra biblical requirements to the law and Jesus even said that they shut the kingdom in people’s face. Unlike John who sought to make a straight path, they hindered people’s access. As they put extra biblical requirements on God’s people to earn their salvation, they were shutting the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. They were dabbling in all these things but not actually repenting, believing and entering the Kingdom by believing in Christ. Thus, they made disciples that were even further from the kingdom. and not open to the message of the kingdom.
John also warns that there is wrath to come (Matt 3:7). See how God is also merciful to warn us of the wrath to come!
John’s words to the religious leaders are also important for us to take note of. A life that is truly repentant will bear fruit, and fruit is visible (Matt 3:8). Thus, it is wrong to think that there is no fruit that flows from repentance. Secondly he warns them not to think that they will be spared from the wrath to come because of their lineage (Matt 3:9).
John provides us two illustrations here too about the nature of God and His judgement. Firstly, we see that God is not bound by natural laws and can also raise children for Abraham from these stones (Matt 3:9b). Secondly, just as how the axe is laid to the root of trees to cut down those that does not bear good fruit, so too we ought to examine our lives. There is not shortcut into the kingdom and there is no alternative to repentance and faith. We cannot rely on our works or how well we keep the law. The messenger comes with the message that repentance is the only way into the kingdom.
Today, our pride can stand in the way of receiving this message. We may reject the tone, or state that it is delivered in a way that we do not like it. Our preferences are irrelevant to the truth of the messenger’s message. The message is still true regardless of how we feel about it. Do we hear the message for what it is? How are we going to respond to it?
(C) The messenger and his King (matt 3:11-13)
John is eager to distinguish what he is doing now with what is to come (Matt 3:11). John prepared himself for his ministry and did not invite people to join him in the wilderness. Instead, he is pointing people to Christ. John baptises with water but Christ comes to baptise with the Spirit (Matt 3:12). The baptism that Christ brings changes us through the Spirit. It is a baptism also of fire, meaning that we will be refined.
John also speaks of how Jesus will come and act like a winnowing fork (Matt 3:12). The farmer gathers the harvest and throws it in the air. Because of the different weights, the wheat and the chaff will separate. The wheat will be placed in the barn, but the chaff He burns.
There is a warning for us here! The harvester is the one who separates. He knows and collects the wheat from the chaff.
There is also a comfort for us here. Do you feel insignificant? Do you think that your conversion is “unimpressive”. The King of the Kingdom takes note and cherishes His people. He knows you, even if you are a small wheat kernel. He is wise to separate and collect. Not one is left out. He will cherish and protect you. He will be your King and you will live in His Kingdom.
As we think about the baptism of the Spirit, what does it mean for us? 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 reminds us that as we enter into the baptism of this coming one, we are baptised into one body. Jews, Greeks, slaves and free, we are united in His baptism! This baptism of the Spirit is not based on works, heritage and social standing. It unites us all, though we were once of dead stone. There is no sin that is too great for this uniting power of the baptism of Jesus.
Do you belong to a local church? Our prayer is that you will join a church because it is the local expression of God’s people that are united and brought together. This baptism unites us with others!
If you are in a local church, do not slide into obscurity even while you are among God’s people. There is always a temptation to isolate and remove ourselves and to remain unknown. This baptism unites believers of our common need to drink of the sustaining flow from that one Spirit in Christ. Join a local church and continue to repent and believe with fellow believers
Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptised by him (Matt 3:13). Jesus was sinless and had no sin to confess to be baptised. Unlike us, Jesus went under the water as the sinless one, foreshadowing His death on the cross. As He was raised, we are raised with Him too. This is why it is significant. John called people to water baptism as a preparation to receive forgiveness. There can be no forgiveness without the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus had to also come to fulfil His calling as the Messiah, taking on the sins of the people and bearing the judgement for their sins. The condemnation for deserving sinners can only be lifted by the death of Jesus Christ. We who have been forgiven are now reconciled to God and have peace with Him.
As Paul writes in Romans 6:3-4, we are now baptised by the Spirit and have joined into the death of Christ. Our old sinful selves have died with Him, and we too, rose with Him to walk in newness of life. We can live a life that’s reconciled to God and at peace with Him. We can live a life that is empowered to be more like Christ, one that is able to resist and overcome sin.
What is God saying to you from His word today?