The Preparation of The Messiah
October 1, 2021
Commentary
In Matthewâs account of Jesusâ life here on earth he skips over the next 30 years or so and picks up with an introduction of John the Baptist (vv. 1-6). John is presented as the prophet sent in the spirit of Elijah âbefore the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord (Mal. 4:5). His appearance depicts him in the life-style of Israelâs ancient prophet.We find John preaching in the Judean wilderness which is along the western shore of the Dead Sea. He was a son of Zacharias and Elizabeth and a cousin of the Lord. Jesus said of him that there was none greater than John (Matthew 11:11).
For over 400 years, the nation had not heard the voice of a prophet. The fact John is preaching a message of repentance, is a fulfillment of Isaiah 40:3, âPrepare ye the way of the Lordâ (v. 3). Although John is a New Testament character he is considered the last of the prophets of Israel. His appearance (wearing a rough coat of camelâs hair and having a leather belt around his waist) and his dynamic preaching certainly depicts him in the life-style of Israelâs ancient prophets (v. 4).
Johnâs preaching centered on repentance and the kingdom of heaven (v . 2). The word repent means a change of mind that leads to a change of action. Repentance is not just sorrow but involves a complete change of attitude toward God and sin and is accompanied by a sense of sorrow and a corresponding change in conduct. John was not satisfied with regret or remorse but there also had to be evidence of a changed mind and a changed life. Johnâs message of repentance was necessary in order to prepare people for the kingdom of heaven which was at hand. The phrase âkingdom of heavenâ is used only in the Gospel of Matthew.
Application
What people have been like John the Baptist in my life? How did they prepare me to meet Jesus? It would be good to write them a note!
Matthew 3:1– 6 (NET)
1 In those days John the Baptist came into the wilderness of Judea proclaiming, 2 âRepent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.â 3 For he is the one about whom the prophet Isaiah had spoken: âThe voice of one shouting in the wilderness, âPrepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight.ââ
4 Now John wore clothing made from camelâs hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his diet consisted of locusts and wild honey. 5 Then people from Jerusalem, as well as all Judea and all the region around the Jordan, were going out to him, 6 and he was baptizing them in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins.
Illustration: Smith The Converted Dutchman
When I was in South Africa, a fine, handsome Dutchman came into my service, and God laid His hand on him and convicted him of sin. The next morning he went to the beautiful home of another Dutchman and said to him, ââŹĹDo you recognize that old watch?” ââŹĹWhy, yes,” answered the other. ââŹĹThose are my initials; that is my watch. I lost it eight years ago. How did you get it, and how long have you had it?""I stole it,” was the reply. ââŹĹWhat made you bring it back now?""I was converted last night,” was the answer, ââŹĹand I have brought it back first thing this morning. If you had been up, I would have brought it last night.” (Gipsy Smith, The Bible Friend).