Matthew Chapter 2 ended with
Joseph, Mary and Jesus
Being settled in Nazareth
Jesus is still being described
As a “young Child” at that time
So under the age of ten years
We could safely assume
Then Matthew introduces us
To John the Baptist in Chapter 3
Who baptises “Jesus the Man”
So a significant length of time
Has elapsed between the stories
Of Jesus’ birth and His baptism
According to Matthew’s account
The introduction to John the Baptist
Is like reading about someone who
May be considered “strange”
“clothed in camel’s hair,
with a leather belt around his waist;
and his food was locusts and wild honey.”
(Matthew 3:4)
And John didn’t think much of
The leaders of his day
Calling them a “Brood of vipers!”
(Matthew 3:7)
But his point, in the violent attack,
Still holds true for us today:
“bear fruits worthy of repentance”
(Matthew 3:8)
Repentance, or turnng to God
Is NOT just a matter of words
Nor even of being water baptised
True repentance will be evident
In corresponding actions as a result
Of coming to God
Or in other words, it should be obvious
That someone has indeed repented
When Jesus did come to John
And John finally agreed to baptise Him
“When He had been baptized,
Jesus came up immediately from the water;
and behold, the heavens were opened to Him,
and He saw the Spirit of God descending
like a dove and alighting upon Him.
And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying,
“This is My beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased.””
(Matthew 3:16 – 17)
We have a picture of what we call the Trinity
Jesus
The Spirit of God – like a dove – (Holy Spirit)
Father – speaking from heaven
God revealing Himself to us
In and as the three persons
And yet, the ONE God
We don’t KNOW this now
By simply reading Matthew
But will understand it as we read
All the Gospel accounts together
This is why it is important
To have an understanding of the whole Bible
Or at least to have read it all
As in a similar way
The Bible is ONE book
But it is made up of 66 books
Each unique in their own way
Yet contributing to the whole