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:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.”
We begin a new series today I’m calling Meandering through Matthew. I have many sermons from Matthew but have not preached through the entire book so, I decided to rework, post and email what I did preach. The Christmas themes from the first two chapters of Matthew I have (or will) include in December. After the birth and childhood of Jesus, He began his public ministry introduced by John the Baptist.
How many ways have you been introduced to others? I have been introduced as a pastor of a church, as Judi’s husband, Ruth Cope’s son, Bryan or Justin's father. I have been introduced as someone's uncle or brother-in-law when meeting with relatives in Michigan.
It is not long when we make someone’s acquaintance that we find out their names, their employment, and about their family. We may continue our introductions with where they live, or grew up, went to school, or hobbies and interests and faith, but that often comes later.
As we meander through Matthew, John the Baptist is giving Jesus an introduction for Jesus’ public ministry. John was given this prophetic job by God even before he was born. John was faithful to his work by preparing the people to receive Jesus when he preached to them the importance of repentance of their sins and turning their hearts and lives to God. He also said there will be one coming whose shoelaces he won't be worthy to untie. He begins his introductions by acknowledging the personhood of the Messiah.
All Jews were waiting the coming of the Messiah who would be the deliverer of the nation. He will baptize with power from the Holy Spirit, not just put you into the water. We are now talking about complete character change from within. Such a change is done to us by the power of God through His Holy Spirit as we put our faith and trust in the Son, Jesus.
The first major events before Christ’s ministry at the age of thirty was His baptism and then immediately His temptation in the wilderness.
Application: If you were to introduce Jesus to someone, how would you begin?
Prayer: Father God, teach me how to share the truth of salvation and how Jesus changes our hearts and lives as we acknowledge our sin and brings hearts to repentance.
