MATTHEW
CHAPTER
3
1. In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea; proclaiming, 2. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
(Matthew chapter 3 verses 1 to 2)
From since the time of Jesus oh father You were making aware of the need to change our lives by turning back to You oh God in a spirit of repentance. Although this call has been proclaimed a long time ago it is still relevant for us today. God is telling us to change our ways, for we do not know when our last second on this earth will be. Our salvation may be nearer than we ever thought it to be, therefore it is very important of us to confess our sins regularly so that if God happens to call us away from this world to join Him in a better and more beautiful one in his presence we will be ready.
3. This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'"
(Matthew chapter 3 verse 3)
If there was ever a person who was ever spoken of this was Jesus Christ. Even before You were born oh God as a human You already had a star, and people had already placed their belief in You and Your existence even people like the wise men who did not have faith in You only faith based on astronomical evidence,
4. Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
(Matthew chapter 3 verse 4)
God speaks in simplicity and in truth. Therefore in order to transmit His message He uses such people such as John the Baptist, who in order to follow the will of God chose to lead to follow a simple life based on natural resources that took him in the solitude of the desert where he could make a direct experience of God and was therefore not exposed to the luxuries of life of the people of his time.This is a lesson for us all. Our focus is to be on God and not only on the luxuries of the world. It is wise and good to make use of the resources and opportunities that God, puts in our way, however it is far more important to place God in the centre, the hub on which our lives rotate.
5. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6. and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
(Matthew chapter 3 verses 5 to 6)
The people of Jerusalem all knew that John had something special. Something that they did not yet have but wished to have. This was the presence of Jesus. Many people attend to prayer meetings with the aim of making an experience of God, others go to see healing take place. All have different reasons for going. John offered a new baptism with water but only Jesus could forgive us entirely of our sins. By means of his form of baptism, John was paving the way for the coming of Jesus.
7. But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8. Bear fruit worthy of repentance. 9. Do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
(Matthew chapter 3 verses 7 to 9)
On reflecting on verses 7 to 9 oh God we become of the fact that we cannot take for granted the fact that our salvation is secured because we are Christians. Every day of our life oh father I am to seek growth in our relationship, that type of growth that only You can make possible.
10. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
(Matthew chapter 3 verse 10)
For those of us who think that they can afford to delay the changes in their live leading to their salvation, they are to think again and re consider that the hour of their salvation may be closer than they actually imagine. Tonight may be our last night on earth. Moreover tomorrow morning or tonight we may actually be appearing before God in order to face our judgement which cannot be avoided or delayed whatever the outcome of God's final decision.
In order to view our friend John the baptist in our context please click on the following link
John the Baptist
11. "I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me: I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
(Matthew chapter 3 verses 11 to 12)
John the Baptist draws a distinction between the baptism that he was giving the people to the one that Jesus would later on give by means of his passion and the sending of the Holy Spirit. In order to gain a better understanding of the difference between the baptism offered by John the Baptist to that offered by Jesus please click on the following links:-
Difference by John Baptist Baptism and that of Jesus
Difference between baptism of John to that of Jesus
13. Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15. But Jesus answered him," Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented.
(Matthew chapter 3 verses 13 to 15)
On reflecting one would ask why in the world would John the Baptist deny Jesus the opportunity to be baptised by him. The reason is that Jesus was without sin and therefore did not need to be baptised by John. However before beginning His ministry in this world Jesus wanted to be baptised. He wanted to begin His ministry with a worldly baptism which would serve as an introduction to His God given ministry that would lead to the baptism by his blood on the cross, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit after He had risen from His death.
At times maybe even without our knowing we may also be of a hindrance to each others spiritual life. Instead of paving the way to others salvation we may well be a stumbling block by means of our sinful life, bad behaviour and or even being of a scandal to others. Therefore we are to be very careful in what we do and say, so that God's will may continue to unfold both for us and for others.
16. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17. And a voice from heaven said. "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."
(Matthew chapter 3 verses 16 to 17)
God showed us that He was pleased joyful and happy with His Son who became human for our salvation, however as humans there are some of us, who are not pleased at all. Among us there are those for whom You are of a discomfort oh God because Your Word shakes the foundations of their crooked beliefs and values and they are teaching others to follow their crooked philosophy. People who have no place for You in their lives feel threaten by You because the truth causes them discomfort, while those of us who have accepted Your Word as being the truth, regardless of what other books and findings may say Your presence makes them feel pleased, happy and satisfied. May we always share these positive thoughts and feelings about You my God.
In order to picture the circumstances befalling the baptism of Jesus please click on following link:-
The baptism of Jesus
On reflecting the time of Jesus' baptism was a very important time in His life as a human. It was the introductory phase of his mission on earth. The time of our baptism is also very important for us because it marks our entry into the Roman Catholic Church as active members.
I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:
Oh Holy Father I would like to thank You for accepting me as an active member of Your Sacred body. I thank You for giving me this opportunity to live my Christian life to the fullest by giving testimony by both word and deed of your mercy, loving kindness and mercy.
(Matthew chapter 3 verses 1 to 2)
From since the time of Jesus oh father You were making aware of the need to change our lives by turning back to You oh God in a spirit of repentance. Although this call has been proclaimed a long time ago it is still relevant for us today. God is telling us to change our ways, for we do not know when our last second on this earth will be. Our salvation may be nearer than we ever thought it to be, therefore it is very important of us to confess our sins regularly so that if God happens to call us away from this world to join Him in a better and more beautiful one in his presence we will be ready.
3. This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'"
(Matthew chapter 3 verse 3)
If there was ever a person who was ever spoken of this was Jesus Christ. Even before You were born oh God as a human You already had a star, and people had already placed their belief in You and Your existence even people like the wise men who did not have faith in You only faith based on astronomical evidence,
4. Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
(Matthew chapter 3 verse 4)
God speaks in simplicity and in truth. Therefore in order to transmit His message He uses such people such as John the Baptist, who in order to follow the will of God chose to lead to follow a simple life based on natural resources that took him in the solitude of the desert where he could make a direct experience of God and was therefore not exposed to the luxuries of life of the people of his time.This is a lesson for us all. Our focus is to be on God and not only on the luxuries of the world. It is wise and good to make use of the resources and opportunities that God, puts in our way, however it is far more important to place God in the centre, the hub on which our lives rotate.
5. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6. and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
(Matthew chapter 3 verses 5 to 6)
The people of Jerusalem all knew that John had something special. Something that they did not yet have but wished to have. This was the presence of Jesus. Many people attend to prayer meetings with the aim of making an experience of God, others go to see healing take place. All have different reasons for going. John offered a new baptism with water but only Jesus could forgive us entirely of our sins. By means of his form of baptism, John was paving the way for the coming of Jesus.
7. But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8. Bear fruit worthy of repentance. 9. Do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
(Matthew chapter 3 verses 7 to 9)
On reflecting on verses 7 to 9 oh God we become of the fact that we cannot take for granted the fact that our salvation is secured because we are Christians. Every day of our life oh father I am to seek growth in our relationship, that type of growth that only You can make possible.
10. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
(Matthew chapter 3 verse 10)
For those of us who think that they can afford to delay the changes in their live leading to their salvation, they are to think again and re consider that the hour of their salvation may be closer than they actually imagine. Tonight may be our last night on earth. Moreover tomorrow morning or tonight we may actually be appearing before God in order to face our judgement which cannot be avoided or delayed whatever the outcome of God's final decision.
In order to view our friend John the baptist in our context please click on the following link
John the Baptist
11. "I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me: I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
(Matthew chapter 3 verses 11 to 12)
John the Baptist draws a distinction between the baptism that he was giving the people to the one that Jesus would later on give by means of his passion and the sending of the Holy Spirit. In order to gain a better understanding of the difference between the baptism offered by John the Baptist to that offered by Jesus please click on the following links:-
Difference by John Baptist Baptism and that of Jesus
Difference between baptism of John to that of Jesus
13. Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15. But Jesus answered him," Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented.
(Matthew chapter 3 verses 13 to 15)
On reflecting one would ask why in the world would John the Baptist deny Jesus the opportunity to be baptised by him. The reason is that Jesus was without sin and therefore did not need to be baptised by John. However before beginning His ministry in this world Jesus wanted to be baptised. He wanted to begin His ministry with a worldly baptism which would serve as an introduction to His God given ministry that would lead to the baptism by his blood on the cross, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit after He had risen from His death.
At times maybe even without our knowing we may also be of a hindrance to each others spiritual life. Instead of paving the way to others salvation we may well be a stumbling block by means of our sinful life, bad behaviour and or even being of a scandal to others. Therefore we are to be very careful in what we do and say, so that God's will may continue to unfold both for us and for others.
16. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17. And a voice from heaven said. "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."
(Matthew chapter 3 verses 16 to 17)
God showed us that He was pleased joyful and happy with His Son who became human for our salvation, however as humans there are some of us, who are not pleased at all. Among us there are those for whom You are of a discomfort oh God because Your Word shakes the foundations of their crooked beliefs and values and they are teaching others to follow their crooked philosophy. People who have no place for You in their lives feel threaten by You because the truth causes them discomfort, while those of us who have accepted Your Word as being the truth, regardless of what other books and findings may say Your presence makes them feel pleased, happy and satisfied. May we always share these positive thoughts and feelings about You my God.
In order to picture the circumstances befalling the baptism of Jesus please click on following link:-
The baptism of Jesus
On reflecting the time of Jesus' baptism was a very important time in His life as a human. It was the introductory phase of his mission on earth. The time of our baptism is also very important for us because it marks our entry into the Roman Catholic Church as active members.
I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:
Oh Holy Father I would like to thank You for accepting me as an active member of Your Sacred body. I thank You for giving me this opportunity to live my Christian life to the fullest by giving testimony by both word and deed of your mercy, loving kindness and mercy.
Thank You God my father.
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