Jesus had to take two
critical steps before He publicly called His hearers to “Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand.” First He went to the Jordan River to be baptized
by John. There the Holy Spirit descended on Him as a dove, and the Father
declared Him to be His chosen, beloved Son. Next Jesus was compelled to go to
the wilderness. There, after fasting for forty days, He was tempted by the
devil. Having been baptized and tempted, He began preaching, healing, and
calling disciples. As a result, a large crowd desired to follow Him.
Click on the "Matthew"
label for other posts in this series.
Sources include the Truth
for Today Commentary, various Bible dictionaries, etc.
3:1-12 John Prepares
the Way. How?
What had Isaiah said
(40:3) about John?
John was a _______
preacher because _________.
Supply an adjective
and a reason. For example, “John was a bold preacher because he called out the
Pharisees and Sadducees for their hypocrisy.”
Others:
Strong, blunt,
strange-looking, wild, threatening …
Like what OT prophet?
2 Kg 1:8; Mal 4:5; Mt 11:14
Later – Mt 11 – Jesus’
response re: John.
His message? Vipers.
Wrath. Axe. Stones.
Confession,
repentance, forgiveness of sins. Mk 1:4
3:11 Jesus – water,
but more!. Jn 3:5, 22; 4:1-2
Holy Spirit (then and
now) and fire (judgment).
Winnowing fork? Wheat?
Chaff? Barn?
3:13-17 John Baptizes
Jesus. Why?
Note: First evidence
that Jesus was without sin.
To do what was right,
as God required.
To identify with lost
sinners.
To be visibly anointed
by the Holy Spirit.
To be publicly
identified by John. Jn 1:29-34
To be declared “Son of
God” from heaven.
To be identified as
the Messianic Servant. Is 42:1
To be prepared for
ministry and temptation.
To set the example for
all to follow today.
4:1-11 Satan Tempts
Jesus. Why?
Who led, even
compelled, Jesus to go? Why?
“God tests; Satan
tempts”. Discuss.
Is it a sin to be
tempted? Discuss. He 2:18; 4:15
Why 40 days? Moses.
Elijah. Israel’s 40 years.
#1 Hunger is a
God-given need! So why not?
It’s sinful to satisfy
God-given needs in ungodly ways.
What “food” had Jesus
been living on for 40 days?
#2 God promised
protection! So why not?
God tests us, but we
are not to test God.
We must not
deliberately put ourselves in a spot where we then demand that God does our
bidding.
How are we tempted to
test God?
#3 Jesus would gain
glory. So why not?
How does Satan want us
to compromise righteous values and behavior, in order to “get ahead” in the
world?
How do His 3
temptations model ALL of ours? Discuss.
4:12-17 Jesus Begins
His Ministry.
Why Galilee? [1] John
in custody; [2] Isa 9:1-2.
Is 9:1 But there will be no
more gloom for her who was in anguish; … Zebulun and the land of Naphtali … on
the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. 2 The people who walk
in darkness will see a great light. Those who live in a dark land, the light
will shine on them.
Why leave Nazareth for
Capernaum? Lk 4:16-21.
Discuss Jesus’ first
message:
“Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
4:18-22 Jesus Calls
Four Disciples.
Not the first time. Jn
1:35-42.
This call parallels Mk
1:16-20. Cf. Lk 5:1-11.
Fishermen: unlikely
choice because …
Fishermen: fitting
choice because …
They left everything
to follow Jesus because …
They made that
decision even though …
They may have
regretted it when … Matt 19:27ff.
How is their call
similar to / different from ours?
4:23-25 Jesus Teaches
and Heals.
Why did large crowds
follow Jesus (4:25)?
Discuss the origin and
function of synagogues.
The gospel (good news)
Jesus preached.
The extent, purpose(s)
of Jesus’ healing miracles.
Illness was sometimes,
but not always, caused by demons. Mt 17:14-18; Mk 1:21-28; 9:14-29
Decapolis:
confederation of ten Gentile cities in northeastern Palestine.
How does all this lead
up to the Sermon – Mount?
Both before and after
the sermon: Jesus’ authority.
Note the parallel
bracket after the sermon. Mt 8:1-17.
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