[:en]SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 3
BIBLE VERSES:
“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” (Matthew 3:1-3)
“The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 3:10)
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11)
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)
JOHN THE BAPTIST PREPARES THE WAY (vs. 1-12)
John the Baptist was the last of the Old Testament prophets. He wore clothes made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. He came to preach repentance for the kingdom of heaven in the Desert of Jordan. He was not afraid to expose the sins of the Pharisees and Sadducees and warned them of the coming wrath. Many confessed their sins and were baptized by him at the Jordan River.
When he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees came, he warned them not to depend on their human relationship to Abraham to save them. For the ax is ready to cut away from those that do not produce good fruit.
He said that he was baptizing them with water. But there is one who is more powerful than him, whose sandals he is not fit to carry will come to baptize them with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
There are two baptisms mentioned: (1)-Holy Spirit – which was fulfilled at Pentecost (Acts 15 and to the Gentiles (Acts 11:10). (2)-Fire – to be fulfilled at His second coming (Malachi 3:1-2, Luke 7:27). Fire speaks of judgment.
THE BAPTISM OF JESUS (vs. 13-17)
Jesus, the son of God came from Galilee to be baptized by John at the Jordan river. At first, John hesitated but Jesus told him to do it in order to fulfill righteousness. So, John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, the heaven was opened and the spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And voice from heaven said this is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16-17)
God the Father attested to the truth that Jesus is His beloved Son. The Trinity is revealed – the Son is baptized, the Spirit descends like a dove and the Father speaks from heaven.
Christian baptism looks back to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and witness the believer’s identity with Him.
REFLECTION:
John the Baptist was the one designated by God to prepare the way for the Lord. He had the courage to preach sin and judgment. He was obedient to His Word without fear of people. He was a model preacher worthy for us to emulate. When you heard God’s Word, do you confess or cover your sins?
Have you been baptized and publicly testified your identification with Christ? Are you being washed, sanctified, justified and resurrected to live a new life for God’s glory?
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