God’s Mission
Matthew 3:1-12
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:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”[a]
4 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. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 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.
11 “I baptize you with[b] 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[c] the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Footnotes
[a] Matthew 3:3 Isaiah 40:3
[b] Matthew 3:11 Or in
[c] Matthew 3:11 Or in
Pondering Point
As we read Matthew 3:1-12, we find that God’s mission with John the Baptist was to use him as a voice calling to people:
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”
The way the mission is furthered in John’s ministry is repentance and baptism by him in the Jordan River. But John already knew that his way of baptizing was only preparatory; the real Way, Jesus, was already in their midst. So John proclaimed, “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. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Prayer
Thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit in your life, particularly as the primary discipler in your life, reminding you of what Jesus taught. Ask for guidance about needing to repent of current actions, attitudes, or thoughts… and, as an act of worship, finish with a shout for joy to the Lord.
Micro-Meditation Scripture
Psalm 100:1-2
1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Micro-Meditation
Teaching or Command of God
John 4:23
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
Micro-Meditation
Pondering Point
What are some of your favorite joyful songs that you like to sing for God? Sing 'em -- Now!