Matthew 3:1-3, John the Baptist Prepares the Way

1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord;

make his paths straight.’”

Comments

Thirty years after Jesus’ birth, the Jews had not heard from God through a prophet for over four hundred years. John, who preached in the wilderness on the eastern edge of Judah, was destined from birth to show the way to Jesus. John shed light into dark places, rebuked the evil of King Herod, the Sadducee ruling elites, the ritualistic Pharisees, and the common people unaware of God. His ministry was to prepare people for Jesus, like the voice of Isaiah.

The first preparatory step was repentance; the second, baptism. John was the first to baptize others to prepare for the coming of God and the of his kingdom. The “kingdom of heaven” John spoke of meant the establishment of God’s rightful sovereignty in judgment and in salvation. The coming of God was fulfilled in Jesus.

Application/Reflection

John’s role was to point others to Jesus. One of Jesus’ first disciples was Andrew, a disciple of John, who directed him to Jesus. Then Andrew brought his brother, Peter to Jesus. Part of following Jesus is to bring others to him. Pray for two people you know who need to know Jesus.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you desire people to know you and love you. I pray from N. and N. today that they would come to know you and to love you. Help me in pointing them to you in a positive way through my words and deeds.