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2. It is proper for us to fulfill all righteousness
It is proper for us to fulfill all righteousness! (The baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist) Matthew 3:1-17
15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. Matthew 3:15 (NIV84) 2 2 2

3. Matthew 3:1-2 (NIV84) 1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 3

4. 400 years fills the space between Malachi and Matthew.

5. Malachi 4:5-6 (NIV84) 5 “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.” 5

6. Malachi prophesies the beginning of the last days.
Matthew says those last days have begun with the ministry of John the Baptist.
Malachi prophesies the beginning of the last days. 6

7. the days of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was the King’s advance team
John the Baptist
inaugurated
the days of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He was the King’s advance team
to prepare for His entry. 7

8. Matthew had as one of his primary purposes for writing his Gospel to connect Jesus to the Old Testament and present Him as King. 8

9. Connect John to the Old Testament the desert wanderings of Israel
the Desert of Judea
the desert wanderings of Israel
the desert of life 9

10. Repentance is the battle for control.
John the Baptist
calls on the children of Israel to
REPENT!
is life changing
a change of masters
Repentance is the battle for control. 10

11. is the preparation to be able to hear Christ’s call to repent.
John’s call to repent
is the preparation to be able to hear
Christ’s call to repent. 11

12. The kingdom of heaven is God’s kingdom where God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, reign over their subjects both as sovereigns and as servants.
Matthew 2:6 (NIV84) 6 “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a Ruler who will be the Shepherd of My people Israel [Micah 5:2].’” 12

13. John’s imperative message to repent in anticipation of the coming of God’s kingdom makes clear that their response carries with it eternal consequences. 13

14. Matthew 4:17 (NIV84) 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
cf. Matthew 3:1-2 (NIV84) 1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 14

15. Matthew 3:3 (NIV84) 3 This is he [John the Baptist] who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’ ” 15

16. Isaiah 40:3-5 (NIV84) 3 A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” 16

17. Isaiah 40:6-8 (NIV84) 6 A voice says, “Cry out.”
And I said, “What shall I cry?”
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” 17

18. Isaiah 40:9-11 (NIV84) 9 You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”
10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and His arm rules for Him. See, His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him.
11 He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young. 18

19. With His arms, King Jesus will rule justly
With His arms, King Jesus will rule justly. With His arms, Shepherd Jesus will gently lead His lambs. 19

20. This kingdom is for the righteous and the way to be among the righteous begins with repentance.20

21. The same act that crushes sin provides redemption for the repentant sinner.21

22. Matthew 3:4 (NIV84) 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. 22

23. 2 Kings 1:5-8 (NIV84) 5 When the messengers returned to the king, he asked them, “Why have you come back?”
6 “A man came to meet us,” they replied. “And he said to us, ‘Go back to the king who sent you and tell him, “This is what the Lord says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending men to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!” ’ ”
7 The king asked them, “What kind of man was it who came to meet you and told you this?”
8 They replied, “He was a man with a garment of hair and with a leather belt around his waist.”
The king said, “That was Elijah the Tishbite.” 23

24. Matthew 11:4-6 (NIV84) 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear (Isaiah 29:18; 35:5-6), the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor (Isaiah 61:1). 6 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of Me.” 24

25. Matthew 11:7-10 (NIV84) 7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:
“ ‘I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’ (Malachi 3:1) 25

26. Why did you go out to the desert?
You went out there to see and hear a prophet of God preparing the way for Me. 26

27. Malachi 3:1
Jesus ties Himself to John as His forerunner, His herald, His messenger. 27

28. Matthew 11:11-15 (NIV84) 11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 He who has ears, let him hear. 28

29. (1) there has never been anyone greater than John the Baptist!
(2) John the Baptist inaugurated the forceful advancing of the kingdom of heaven.
(3) with the ministry of John the Baptist a whole new era has begun.
(4) John the Baptist is the New Elijah. 29

30. Malachi 3:1 (NIV84) 1 “See, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to His temple; the Messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty. 30

31. Malachi 3:2-4 (NIV84). 2 But who can endure the day of His coming
Malachi 3:2-4 (NIV84) 2 But who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, 4 and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years. 31

32. Malachi 3:5 (NIV84). 5 “So I will come near to you for judgment
Malachi 3:5 (NIV84) 5 “So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear Me,” says the Lord Almighty. 32

33. a—“See, I am sending My messenger.
Malachi 4:4
The focus and purpose of the one who prepares and clears the way for the arrival of the Lord.
a—“See, I am sending My messenger.
And he (My messenger) will clear a path before Me.
And suddenly He (the Lord) will come to His temple,
b—the Lord whom you are seeking.
b´—And the messenger of the covenant (the Lord) in whom you delight,
a´—see, He (the Lord) is coming.” 33

34. John’s mission was to clear away the obstacles of unbelief in the hearts of these people.34

35. Matthew 3:5-6 (NIV84) 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. 35

36. Matthew 3:7-10 (NIV84) 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. 36

37. John’s message of how to flee the coming wrath included the consequences of failing to repent.37

38. Being a physical descendent of Abraham does not a child of Abraham make.38

39. Even for these Pharisees, John was extending the offer to repent.39

40. Matthew 3:11-12 (NIV84). 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance
Matthew 3:11-12 (NIV84) 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come One who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with 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.” 40

41. judgment and redemption
the two are started with the same instrument and the same action. 41

42. Fire can be part of the sanctifying work of God in our lives.42

43. Matthew 3:13-14 (NIV84) 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” 43

44. Matthew 3:15 (NIV84) 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 44

45. Why Jesus had John baptize Him
1. Jesus and John the Baptist were partners
in inaugurating the new kingdom of heaven
to rescue and redeem sinful humanity 45

46. Why Jesus had John baptize Him
1. Jesus and John the Baptist were partners
John laid down his life in order to draw attention to the King of the Jews, the King of the Universe 46

47. Why Jesus had John baptize Him
2. Jesus identifies with us and we identify with Jesus in baptism
the shadow of the cross that was yet to come was falling on Him and bearing witness through the symbolism of baptism 47

48. Why Jesus had John baptize Him
2. Jesus identifies with us and we identify with Jesus in baptism
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV84) 21 God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
His death and resurrection that was symbolized in His baptism is what brought the fulfillment of all righteousness by conquering sin, death and the devil. 48

49. Matthew 3:16-17 (NIV84) 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he (He) saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on Him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” 49

50. God the Son, God the Spirit, and God the Father are each involved in this moment of baptism.50

51. Jesus the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One as Lord over all, King over everything for all eternity. 51

52. John the Baptist is honored to be the forerunner.
We are His joyful subjects, … made new to reign with our King forever! 52

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54. 1. What is the over all message of Matthew 3?
2. How does Jesus’ baptism help fulfill John’s mission?
3. If you were a Pharisee or Sadducee, how are the events and messages of Matthew 3 affecting you?
4. If you were one of the people coming from Judea, how are the events and messages of Matthew 3 affecting you? 54

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