January 25, 2021
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Matthew? Here’s today’s reading:
Matthew 3 (NIV)
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:........Continue Reading
John the Baptist knew that repentance is more than a public declaration but a change of heart and mind. Our behavior needs to change and ultimately we will continue to need to ask for forgiveness and repent again and again. So I can only imagine his surprise when Jesus who lived His life with no sin was asking John to baptize Him, this savior who’s coming John himself had been preaching of was now in front of him to be baptized.
Jesus truly came to identify with us and live a life of man but as an example for us to live in the way God intended for us to live!
“And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.””
Matthew 3:17 NIV
https://www.bible.com/111/mat.3.17.niv
I like that John points out that the Pharisees can’t rely on their blood lineage to save them; that descendants of Abraham can come from anywhere and it is the fruit/heart of the believer that truly matters. The emphasis on spiritual descendants rather than blood descendants is a recurring theme.
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” John knows even before Jesus’ introduction that the Sadducees and the Pharisees would not accept Him. “Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” They do not acknowledge their need to repent.
There is a distinction between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven. This makes a lot of sense because the Kingdom of Heaven verses seem to indicate that salvation it dependent on works, whereas the Kingdom of God verses indicate that salvation is dependent on faith in Jesus. If you compare the KoH verses and the KoG verses, you will see that they are different. In Matthew, he is addressing the Jews and for most of the book, the parables, etc have to do with the relationship of the Jews to God, a relationship based on following the law, that is why it seems like salvation is linked to works. Jesus was sent to be the ruler of the Kingdom of Heaven, but, of course, the Jews did not accept Him. Which God knew, it was part of His plan. Jesus had to die for our sins and later He will rule over the earth.
The kingdom of Heaven is the physical earthly kingdom, visible in time ruled over by various rulers at different times, including the anti-Christ. It will be eventually be ruled by Jesus and believers. The Kingdom of God is God’s spiritual kingdom, not a location or time. It is eternal and accessible to believers. It is within you.
Here’s the first in a series of teaching videos about the word “kingdom” in the Bible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruDi_OE9j6c&list=PLORHHqiEWKiOOqbM51eBypavfop_rjX5f&index=1
What a compelling figure John the Baptist is. So dedicated to God, truth and the mission to which he was called. He was a man worthy of honor because of the life he lived, yet he was willing to give his honor to the One to whom it belonged. John and Jesus were related, so one wonders if they ever met before this. John’s conviction and charisma certainly drew followers to him and he gained the notice of the religious leaders as well. They came to investigate and to criticize and John was not afraid to put them in their place. Our own conviction around truth causes us to have confidence in it. John came with a message of repentance, the only message appropriate before the cross. John’s repentance was a repentance of works..a proper one in preparation for the message of Jesus and the cross. The repentance Jesus calls people to is a repentance about who He is and the sufficiency of the cross to save. Changing behavior will not save us but it can be the forerunner to conviction about our need for Christ and forgiveness. This is the value of John the baptist’s ministry preceding the ministry of Jesus.
And what a beautiful affirmation the Father gives to the Son and for all those around including John!
Matthew 3
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3This 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.’ ”
4John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
Matthew 3