We see in the first 2 chapters of the Gospel of Matthew that God goes to extreme measures to providentially bring Jesus into the world and to protect his family, Mary and Joseph. God does not stop there to confirm Jesus as Messiah bringing the Kingdom near in the coming story.
In Chapter 3, Matthew shares that John the Baptist begins his ministry and baptizes. The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus and God declares that he is pleased with his Son affirming him as Messiah.
It is assumed that the Jewish audience new about John’s birth, so Matthew dives into the account (pun intended). After 400 years of silence, a new prophet lands on the scene. He is calling the people to repent and promised someone greater. It is like John the Baptist is the third person in a relay race with Jesus about to run the last leg as the “finisher”.
John the Baptist’s ministry was about a specific message. He called the people to repent, “a radical transformation of the entire person.” It was assumed humans were sinful, off-course and in need of change of direction. The second word as part of his message was “kingdom”. The kingdom of heaven was at hand. The Jews had an expectation of a divine visitation (Messiah) to come establish justice, crush the opposition (Rome), bring political peace and establish prosperity. This is not what Jesus would come to do. Jesus was coming to establish a spiritual kingdom. The kingdom that is “near” landed on the scene with Jesus, but also has an eschatological future in Millennial reign at the end of time.
One theologian said, “The kingdom came with Jesus and his preaching and miracles, it came with his death and resurrection, and it will come at the end of the age.”
This message, “Repent, the Kingdom of heaven is near” is repeated by Jesus (4:17) and the disciples (10:7). It is also important to remember that John’s baptism was a visible sign of confession and repentance, but Jesus would bring a baptism for believers that was an outward sign of an inward belief in Jesus (Romans 6:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:13). The forerunner, John was fulfilling of prophecy (Isaiah 40:3-11) where he was preparing the way for the Lord. He lived a simple lifestyle in the desert eating locusts and honey fulfilling more prophesy as identified with Elijah (2 Kings 1:8; Psalm 81:16).
Lessons from John the Baptist include at least the following. The coming of Kingdom includes judgment and salvation (wrath of God and rescue is coming). Get ready now! Real repentance (inward) produces fine fruit (outward). For the Jew and Israel, lineage or nationality was not enough. Repentance and belief were needed because it is by grace alone we are saved (Ephesians 2).
In verse 13, Jesus lands on the scene to be baptized by John.
Jesus’ Purpose: “Jesus arrived…to be baptized.” (3:13)
It is interesting that earlier John had difficulty baptizing the religious leaders (Pharisees and Sadducees) because they were not worthy of John’s baptism. Now he has difficulty baptizing Jesus because his baptism is not worthy of Jesus.
John’s Push-back: “I need to be baptized…” (3:14). Jesus is Superior. John is humbling himself. Conscious of his own sin.
Jesus’ Plea: “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (3:15). Jesus wanted to obey the moral demands of God’s will. Jesus is a servant to the people. Jesus endorses John’s ministry and message. Jesus knew his “Suffering Servant” role.
Father’s Praise: “This is my Son…” (3:16-17). I love that the Trinity is present in this scene. The Son is being baptized. The Holy Spirit descends (3:16) affirming Jesus is the promised Messiah. The Father speaks audibly from heaven (3:17) confirming the suffering servant (Isaiah 42:1-4). God broke the 400 years of silence between the NT and OT to reveal himself to humans.
It is now the Messianic Age!
Conclusion:
John came to bear witness to the light. Jesus was (and is) that light. John pointed to Jesus as the coming one. Jesus pointed to himself as the Incarnate one. John reminded the people of God’s centuries-old promises. Jesus was, and is, the fulfillment of all God’s promises. John administered a baptism of water as an outward sign of repentance. Jesus administered a baptism of fire as the Spirit inwardly torched his people. With this last point we have highlighted the crucial difference between John and Jesus. John could only point to the Kingdom of God, the all-determining reality that was to heal a creation disfigured by the Fall into sin. Jesus, on the other hand, didn’t point to it: he brought it inasmuch as he was the new creation, filled with cosmic significance, the one in whom all things are restored. John’s ministry prepared people for a coming kingdom that the king would bring with him. Jesus’ ministry gathered people into that kingdom which was running wherever the king himself presided. And much more…
What do you think?
