“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming!
Clear the road for him!’”
We are in week 3 of our sermon series Follow Me – studying the gospel of Matthew. And when Barry kicked off this series on Easter Sunday he talked about musicals – specifically about act 1 finales in musicals. You can imagine how I felt – I mean the whole musical track is my thing – he was stealing my schtick. So not to be outdone – I’m going to talk about musicals – and specifically about grand entrances – characters that make a scene as they come into a scene. Maybe some of these will be familiar to you – and if not, you need to see more musicals (Marcus)
Glinda – bubble - Image
Washington – here comes the general – everyone in Hamilton - Image
The witch in into the woods – bursts in with smoke - Image
Peter pan flies thru a window - Image
Phantom - Image
The genie in Aladdin - Image
John the Baptist is preparing the way – clearing the road – it’s a grand entrance – and he was a grand character – turn to Matthew 3 –
This is the chapter that we are going to be focusing on this morning.
Pray
Call for offering.
Who is this grand character John the Baptist?
You read about his birth right along the birth of Jesus in Luke 1 – his parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth were very old – without children – but an angel appeared to Zechariah and told him they would have a son and to call him John – and the angel told him in Luke 1 verse 17:
“He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,[a] and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”
From before his birth we know that John is fulfilling the prophecy of the OT
The angel likens him to the prophet Elijah and this continues in Matthew 3
He is special – and different Look at Matthew 3 - verse 4:
John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.
In 2 Kings 1:8 – this is how they describe Elijah
8 They replied,
“He was a hairy man,[a] and he wore a leather belt around his waist.”
“Elijah from Tishbe!” the king exclaimed.
The connections are clear.
In Malachi 4:5-6
5 “Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the LORD arrives. 6 His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.”
These are the exact words that the angel said to Zechariah about his miracle son, John.
John is the necessary forerunner of Jesus that is prophesied in the OT. Again Luke 1:17 – he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom fo the godly.
He’s talked about in Malachi 3:1
3 “Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.
Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
Or in Isaiah 40:3
3 Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting,
“Clear the way through the wilderness
for the LORD!
Make a straight highway through the wasteland
for our God!
Matthew says these exact words when he says in Matthew 3 verse 3 – look as a read.
3 The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said,
“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming!
Clear the road for him!’”[b]
And if that wasn’t clear enough – listen to what Jesus says in Matthew 11:12-16
12 And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing,[a] and violent people are attacking it. 13 For before John came, all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time. 1
4 And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come.[b]
15 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!
Matthew is making it clear that John the Baptist is the exact fulfillment of the OT prophecies.
He is rightly tying together the end of the OT Malachi with the beginning of the NT. There had not been a prophet in Isreal for 400 years – not since Malachi – but after 400 years of silence Matthew picks precisely where Malachi left off.
He is the one.
William Barclay – a Scottish theologian described the coming of John the Baptist as:
“A light which lit up the dark places…”
And
“A wind which swept from God throughout the country…”
Barry spoke last week about keys to this series is the story of fulfillment and just in the person of John we clearly see the fulfillment of God’s promises to His people – to us. And the people John is preaching to knew this – they knew the OT prophecies.
This is John – the man chosen – the man prophesied to usher in the coming of Christ – to baptize Jesus and mark the official commencement of Jesus’ ministry. The man making a grand entrance to pave the way for the grandest entrance of Jesus. All the gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John begin in significantly different ways but all of them come together with the account and fulfillment of John the Baptist. He was a great man – whose greatness was only overshadowed – and rightly so – by the star
Jesus. And John was fine with being a supporting player. When questioned about Jesus in John 3:28-31 – John the Baptist says:
28 You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ 29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. 30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
31 “He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else.[a]
The humility and acceptance of his role – a friend simply glad to stand with him
He knew his role and he humbly accepted it.
Let’s look at how John ushered in the ministry of Jesus. Matthew ch. 3 verse 1
3 In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, 2 “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.[a]”
He says.
Repent!
His call to repentance is important and must not be neglected. It is accurate to say that it is the first word of the gospel.
· Repent was the first word of John the Baptist’s gospel (Matthew 3:1-2).
· Repent was the first word of Jesus’ gospel (Matthew 4:17 and Mark 1:14-15).
· Repent was the first word in the preaching ministry of the twelve disciples (Mark 6:12).
· Repent was the first word in the preaching instructions Jesus gave to His disciples after His resurrection (Luke 24:46-47).
· Repent was the first word of exhortation in the first Christian sermon (Acts 2:38).
· Repent was the first word in the mouth of the Apostle Paul through his ministry (Acts 26:19-20).
This is a demand from John – stop what you are doing and do a 180 - This is action – the Hebrew word is teshubah – to turn - turn from your old ways – and go a different direction –
Dave’s example
It’s not just being sorry for your sins – it’s being sorry enough to quit – it’s radical transformation.
Repent of your sins and turn to God, the Kingdom of Heaven is near.
Repent of your sins is John’s Demand
The kingdom of heaven is near is John’s Warning
This is something the Jewish people had heard for hundreds of years – starting in Isaiah 40 – God would come back bringing comfort and rescue – bringing his people out of exile.
And just as the prophets of the OT warned that the day of the Lord would be one of judgement and blessing – John is also warning that the coming of the kingdom would be a revelation of God’s wrath against the ungodly. This plays out just a few verses later – look at verse 7.
7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize,[c] he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. 9 Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 10 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.
John isn’t even sure what kingdom he is setting up here – he doesn’t know exactly what Jesus is going to usher in – but his stark warnings are setting the correct tone – the God who is coming to his people in Jesus will one day reveal his kingdom in all its glory – bringing joy and justice to the whole world. And no one is immune – all must repent – must change course – must die to self and we must see the good fruit.
Prove by the way you live.
The prophets had said that God would return when the people repented and turned to him with all their hearts.
Zechariah 1:3
New Living Translation
3 Therefore, say to the people, this is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.’
Deut. 30
2 If at that time you and your children return to the LORD your God, and if you obey with all your heart and all your soul all the commands I have given you today, 3 then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes. He will have mercy on you and gather you back from all the nations where he has scattered you.
John was declaring the same thing and is audience would have been very familiar with the OT prophesies – and the people were coming. Return to God. So I think John is saying: “It's time to do what Moses said in Deut., which is to: ‘Repent and turn back to God with all your heart.’ And then God will do a new thing.”
And they flocked to him – they listened.
5 People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. 6 And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
And this wasn’t just a symbolic cleansing. It was a sign God was doing a new thing in history, for Isreal and the world – over 1000 years before the children of God had crossed the Jordan when they first entered and conquered the promised land – now they had to go thru the river again as a sign they were getting ready for a greater conquest – God’s defeat of all evil and the establishment of his kingdom on earth as in heaven.
A new revolutionary kingdom. Upside down kingdom. Even tho they didn’t know that’s what they were preparing for.
John has given them a demand – a warning and now a
Promise
Verse 11
11 “I baptize with[d] water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.[e] 12 He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”
The king is coming – John isn’t even sure yet who he is – he will recognize him as it says in the account in the gospel of John chapter 1:
John 1:29-34
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ 31 I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”
32 Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. 33 I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.[a]”
The promise – the king is coming – he is the chosen one of God – He is the lamb of God who will take away the sins of the world. Who Jesus is and what Jesus will do! What they have all been waiting for.
The stage is set. And here comes the main character – verse 13. Here comes the general
13 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”
15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.[f]” So John agreed to baptize him.
16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened[g] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
The stage is set in a big way – a grand entrance – a grand announcement – everyone is expecting a big character – and in walks Jesus. At this point I don’t think John even knows that he is the one – I think that happens after the baptism - but he still doesn’t believe he should baptize Jesus – he has known Jesus – their mothers (Elizabeth and Mary are friends) – I think he just believes Jesus is morally superior to him and that it would be more fitting for Jesus to baptize John. But this baptism is already a sign of the ministry of Jesus – of his kingdom manifesto – in his baptism Jesus is not identifying with God – he is humbly identifying with the people he has come to save. The very people facing the judgement and in need of repentance. Verse 15:
15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.[f]” So John agreed to baptize him.
Yes, Jesus is here to fulfill the promises God made years ago and has not forgotten. Yes, these promises will blow God’s spirit thru the entire world and bring his fire – his judgement – on evil wherever it occurs. And yes, he will rescue God’s people from every kind of exile they have been driven. But to do this – he will humbly identify himself with God’s people – with us – by taking our place – sharing in our remorse and regret, living our life and dying our death.
So, John baptizes him, and it says when he comes up out of the water.
The heavens were opened[g] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.
What an entrance! Jesus comes up out of the water. Isreal came thru the water of the Red Sea and was given the law – confirming their status as God’s son, God’s firstborn. Jesus came up from the water of baptism and received God’s spirit, God’s wind, God’s breath – declaring him to be God’s son. Isreal-in- person.
Just as the prophet Isaiah declared thru out the book of Isaiah:
The heavens were opened.
Isaiah 64:1
64 [a]Oh, that you would burst from the heavens and come down!
His spirit descended.
Isaiah 42:1
42 “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen.
He is my chosen one, who pleases me.
I have put my Spirit upon him.
He will bring justice to the nations.
Isaiah 11:2
2 And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
Isaiah 61:1
61 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me,
for the LORD has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed.[a]
Like a dove.
Representing peace – like the dove after the flood in Genesis 8 – this is the introduction to the upside-down ministry/kingdom of Jesus – it is one of peace as represented by the dove.
And then God spoke. Verse 17
17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
You are my son.
Psalm 2:7
7 The king proclaims the LORD’s decree:
“The LORD said to me, ‘You are my son.[a]
Today I have become your Father.[b]
Isaiah 42: 1
My chosen one – with whom I am well pleased.
The father loves the son and communicates that love thru the Holy Spirit. And the trinity is present at this moment – the father speaking from heaven – the son being baptized and the spirit descending like a dove. What an amazing moment.
By this, everyone knew that Jesus was different. Jesus was baptized so to be identified with sinful man, but He was also baptized to be identified to sinful man.
And John himself said in John 1:34
34 I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.[l]”
This is the great renewal movement. This is the moment that all Israel's history has been waiting for. This is the Deuteronomy 30 moment. And this is just the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. A commencement of his work. A defining moment. The grand entrance – the beginning of the show. The same show we are a part of now.
And John the Baptist knew he was not the main character – he is a supporting role – a supporting player - he is:
Le fou to Gaston
Enjolras to Marius
donkey to Shrek
Gretchen and Karen to regina
Glinda to Elphaba
Not the bridegroom but the friend who stands next to him and hears his vows.
John is making the way – setting the scene - but
Jesus is the star.
Is Jesus the star in you show?
Is he center stage in your life?
One of the key aspects of Matthew is that it is a discipleship manual.
The first practice in the way of discipleship is surrender and trust.
Disciples of Jesus surrender their life to God and live fully, trusting that the Holy Spirit will transform them and give them new lives. They surrender by admitting that because of sin – they are separated from God – one of the broken places. Disciples repent and accept God’s offer of forgiveness thru their faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection. And they respond by trusting God, submitting to kingdom priorities and walking in the spirit.
The first step in discipleship. Maybe that is the step you need to take today. Hear the call of John and prepare – repent – surrender – trust. Put Jesus centerstage.
Or maybe the application for you today is to be the supporting player – be John the Baptist in the story.
John was Bold
John was Humble
John was a voice that Pointed others to Jesus
You need to Prepare others for the way of the Lord
To help heal the broken place of separation from God.
To put Jesus centerstage so others can see Him and His work in your life.
In a few moments you are going to witness some beautiful testimonies of people that have made Jesus the star of their show – of their life – people that are publicly declaring their surrender and trust in Jesus today – people that are physically showing you thru baptism – that they are putting to death their selfish way of living and coming up out of the waters to new life. A life where they are no longer the star of their own show. A life of discipleship – of apprenticeship – as they learn and emulate their rabbi. This is a bold move – a move of humble submission – a move that points others to Jesus.
“You are now going to be the new people—the people in whom God is renewing the covenant by doing the new Exodus, bringing people into the promised land - by bringing the people through the water, and then into their kingdom work.
We are all in need of a new exodus – we are all enslaved – in exile – just like those in Moses’ time – just like those standing by the Jordan with John the Baptist – we are in need of a savior.
Surrender to him today and find new life – new creation – new freedom.
And if you’ve found that already – share it with those around you.
A new beginning with God. With Jesus centerstage.
(Pause – underscore starts)
I cannot think of a better way or more appropriate way to close this service than with baptisms. As we get to watch Jesus take centerstage in the lives of members of our church family. They are sharing their story of transformation with us – their story of surrender – they are coming thru death – up out of the water to the other side – into kingdom people.
And we get to bear witness to their witness.
Let’s celebrate this together as a church community as we worship and watch.
And maybe you did not prepare to be baptized this morning, but you now know it is time – the HS is tugging at your heart. We have everything you need – so come to the waters this morning.
So, when people then get baptized in the early church, they're coming through death, out the other side, into being Kingdom people.
Let’s celebrate these beautiful stories