Bible Verse Synopsis 2-21-25
Matthew 3:
Matthew skips forward in the story to the time of John the Baptist. John was baptizing people in the Jordan to repent of their sins and be born again in Christ. For this to happen at all was a feat. John was converting people to Christ in spite of his look - Camel haired clothing and a leather belt. No possessions to his name and nothing to claim he had done. Yet the Lord worked through Him and brought the people to Him. Prophesies were fulfilled by John that had been mentioned in Isiah. Another example of the Lord keeping His promises!
When John saw the Pharisees and Sadducees, he scoffed at them. Knowing that in their hearts they were not there to truly repent. John makes an analogy that holds true today. For every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down. The axe of the tree (Christ) is at every root. Repentance is where our fruit begins. It is what keeps the tree healthy and alive. With true repentance there is an answer to the question of Faith.
John baptized with water but states the fact that He who comes after me with baptize with fire. Christ will be the ultimate judge and separate the wheat from the chaff. The wheat will go into the kingdom and the chaff will burn with unquenchable fire. No clearer instruction of Christ's role in the kingdom is needed here. Jesus is the judge and jury of our sins. Our ticket to the kingdom goes through Him. without belief in Christ we are lost and our ticket has fallen through the inevitable hole in our pockets. Keep our faith in Him so our ticket stays always at the ready
Then Jesus came to be baptized. John did not want to do it! For he knew that the roles should be reversed. Jesus insisted to "fulfill all righteousness". After the baptism, Jesus was lifted from the water and the heavens opened. The Spirit of God descended on Him like a dove. Upon landing on Him, God's voice rang out saying "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased". Repentance from Christ for the sins he had not committed is the joy and the comfort we receive. He was baptized for us as the example of true righteousness. Be raised up by Him. Set free the demons in our souls and give our hearts to God. Then we can be free to live in Christ eternally.