Matthew 3-4

Fast forward now approximately 30 years from end of chapter 2, John the Baptist arrives on the scene.  Matthew introduces him as the one “crying in the wilderness” as foreseen by Isaiah 40:3.  The Jews here are well aware of Messianic prophecies and need very little introduction as foreigners might. John simply introduces a “kingdom” a dawning of new time where entrance into this new relationship with God is through repentance and faith in Jesus (3:2).   Kingdom of heaven here is not specifically speaking about a place in particular but this current dispensation where man comes to God through Christ, it is also synonymous with the church age.  Still more progressive revelation about this “kingdom” is still to come.  The cross is still a mystery to all of them and have yet to understand Jesus is not only speaking truth, He is Truth.

John Baptized all who confessed their sins and repented (3:6). Upon seeing the Pharisees and Sadducees, John makes a few statements sarcastically. “Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (3:7)  In other words, they weren’t really fleeing from God’s wrath but had come to make appearances only.  These spiritual leaders of Israel often had good works and had great pride in being the seed of Abraham.  They thought that this alone would be enough to please God in any sort of judgement.  They had enthusiasm of course, but not the sort after truth.  They would rather establish their own righteousness that repent after God’s righteousness which is far superior.   John called for these people of religion and “good works” to repent like everyone else.  Not only repent, for that can be an easy outward display of remorse, but to bring along “fruits” of repentance along with it.  These are also good works, but are such that come from a heart of repentance.  These fruits testify of a person humility and true belief, as Jesus later taught, “Ye shall know them by their fruits.”

As a matter of fact, Jesus will judgement according to their fruits (3:11-12).  Not all “fruit” is acceptable to God, but only the kind that comes from repentance and faith.  When Jesus comes to judge he will gather “wheat” symbolized as the acceptable fruit, and the rest will burned or go into judgement (3:12).

Jesus is baptized by John, though John reluctantly does so, but this baptism is the commencement of Jesus’ ministry among men.  The Holy Spirit descends in a form like a dove, God’s voice from heaven is heard saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well please.” All these things show a couple of things:

1. History will never be the same.
2. The Trinity is clearly seen here.
3. Jesus is the chosen Messiah.
4. Jesus’ life pleased and is accepted by the Father.

Now, that Jesus’ public ministry has been commenced, He is immediately led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to fast forty days and forty nights and to endure the temptations by Satan. (4:1-2)  Here Jesus’s is going to demonstrate His humanity. He’s going to get hungry. He’s going to be tempted to take the easy route while considering Satan’s temptations.  But where the Israelites failed in the desert, Jesus is going to succeed, hence the forty days and nights to signify trials.  The first two temptations are in alike manner.  They both are testing in that Satan says, “If you really are God’s Son you should be able to do this!”  What’s wrong with the Son of God using some of His own divine power for Himself?  It would accomplish what Satan wants in Christ making a show of Himself, but Christ did not come to serve Himself, but others.  Satan temps Jesus to turn stones in to bread, “If thou be the Son of God…”  Satan tries to take advantage of Jesus’ weakness which now would be His hunger after fasting 40 days.  But instead of relying on His own strength, Jesus knew He was come to bear our infirmities like the prophet Isaiah had said.  Jesus had not come live among us only to use His power to make life easy for Himself.  Jesus quotes God’s word, all quotes from Deuteronomy to thwart Satan’s tactics:

“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”  (4:4)

Next Satan tries a similar tactic and take Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple.  Satan this time quotes scripture, satan is not ignorant of the scriptures.  How many lost souls are there that have been led astray by the abuse of Scriptures?  Satan quotes Psalms 93 and tempts Jesus to cast Himself down off the temple, for if He is really God’s Son, then the angel will catch him before He is hurt.  One could imagine the kind of praise one would receive after angels swoop down and catch you.  This kind of spectacle Jesus could have easily done during His ministry if He should choose the easy way for people to accept Him has Christ.  But God wants people to trust His Word, not spectacles.  Jesus quotes Scripture again, “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” (4:7)

Finally Satan turns to different approach.  This time, Jesus isn’t tempted to make a spectacle of His power to rule on the earth, but only to worship Satan, the “god” of this world.  This scheme would seemingly provide an easy way to achieve sovereignty de jure without the pain of the cross. Satan brings Jesus to a mountain top and show Jesus the extend of Satan’s kingdom.  The cross could be bypassed and the effects could be immediate if only Jesus would worship Satan.  Jesus quotes scripture again, “for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

After the trials for Jesus ended, He began His preaching ministry teaching the repentance as entrance into this newly revealed “kingdom” (4:17).  His first action was to call disciples to imitate Himself.  He began to train men (4:18-22) who would be able to train others who would ultimately bear the Gospel to the world.