Matthew 3 - The Preaching of John the Baptist
3 Now in those days John the Baptist *came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
- The preaching of John the Baptist
o The is the herald blowing the trumpet announcing the arrival of the King of Kings
o Let us not forget John was in Elizabeth’s stomach when Mary came to confirm what the angel had told her. Zacharias was the priest who lost his voice and could not speak until Jesus was born. As soon as John was born Zacharias gained his voice again.
- Now in those days
o What days?
o The days right after Herod had all the children under 2 killed
o After Rachel mourned for her children
§ Rachel means lamb
§ A picture of the Lamb of God mourning for all His children too
§ Something had to be done and it was about to – BIG TIME
- John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea
o John means “Yahweh is gracious”
o It was God’s grace (unearned, undeserved favor) that John got to deliver this message for all to receive
o Judea means “the praised one” or “beautiful boy”
o John came to preach about the beautiful boy who is to be “the praised one”
o Why did he begin his ministry in the wilderness?
§ Because it was not convenient
§ It would take real commitment for someone to come and see him and hear his message
§ No lookie loos – only serious inquires invited
- Repent for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand
o This means turn from your sin (make a U-turn)
o Get off the wide road that leads to hell and get on the narrow path that leads to heaven
o It will require that you repent
§ Ask God to forgive you for your sins and stop sinning
§ To hide it, confess it and be healed!
3 For this is the one referred to [d]by Isaiah the prophet when he said,
“The voice of one [e]crying in the wilderness,
‘Make ready the way of the Lord,
Make His paths straight!’”
- Isaiah had written about this event long before
- Now it has come true
- The Jews to whom John preached would know and understand the significance of this event
- John was preparing the way for the Lord’s entrance
4 Now John himself had [f]a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
- God had a plan for John before he was born
- Lukewarm believers are in gave danger because they have not made any stark changes in their life after getting born again.
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