Matthew 3: Preparing for the King
IN ANCIENT TIMES the coming of a king required special preparation. A herald was sent ahead to prepare the road on which the king would be traveling. Holes were filled, rough places made smooth and crooked sections straightened. The same thing happened in recent times when Queen Elizabeth II visited the Bahamas. In preparation for her coming, the roads she would be traveling on were completely resurfaced. In Matthew 3 John the Baptist is sent to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. But his arrival required a very different kind of preparation.
Warming Up to God
Spend some time in preparation for meeting the Lord by confessing your sins and listening for God's assurance of forgiveness.
Read Matthew 3. »
Discovering the Word
- For Israel the desert was a place of both punishment and renewal (recall the wilderness wanderings). How does John's ministry convey both concepts (vv. 1-12)?
- The religious leaders considered themselves children of Abraham (v. 9). According to verses 7-10, how were they abusing this privilege?
- John calls us to produce "fruit in keeping with repentance" (v. 8). Give examples of the kind of fruit you think he has in mind.
- Both John and Jesus have ministries of baptism (vv. 11-12). How are their baptisms similar and different?
- What does Jesus' willingness to be baptized suggest about him (v. 15)?
Applying the Word
- The coming of Christ either demands repentance or brings judgment. In what ways do you need to better prepare for his return?
- Think of people around you who have rough places or valleys in their lives. How can you help them smooth out the rough places or fill in the valleys in preparation for Jesus' coming?
Responding in Prayer
Ask God to help you show others how to prepare for Jesus.
For Further Study
Extreme Forgiver by Bill Donahue & Keri Wyatt Kent