rec 05-24-20<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Rev. Richard Jones rec 05-24-20 BEHOLD THE BAPTIZER The Gospel of Matthew His Message Matthew 3: 1-6 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 \u201cRepent, for the kingdom of heaven is … Continue reading BEHOLD THE BAPTIZER<\/span><\/strong>
\nThe Gospel of Matthew<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\nHis Message Matthew 3: 1-6 <\/span><\/strong>
\nIn those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 \u201cRepent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.\u201d 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, \u201cThe voice of one crying in the wilderness: \u201d\u02dcPrepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.\u201d\u2122\u201d4 Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.<\/span><\/h3>\nLuke 3: 10-14<\/span>
\nAnd the crowds asked him, \u201cWhat then shall we do?\u201d 11 And he answered them, \u201cWhoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.\u201d 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, \u201cTeacher, what shall we do?\u201d 13 And he said to them, \u201cCollect no more than you are authorized to do.\u201d 14 Soldiers also asked him, \u201cAnd we, what shall we do?\u201d And he said to them, \u201cDo not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.\u201d<\/span><\/h3>\nHis Confrontation Matthew 3: 7-12<\/strong> <\/span>
\nBut when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, \u201cYou brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, \u201d\u02dcWe have Abraham as our father,\u201d\u2122 for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.11 \u201cI baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. 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 gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.\u201d<\/span><\/h3>\nHis Privilege Matthew 3: 13-17<\/strong> <\/span>
\nThen Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, \u201cI need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?\u201d 15 But Jesus answered him, \u201cLet it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.\u201d Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, \u201cThis is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.\u201d<\/span><\/h3>\nHis Trouble Matthew 14: 1-4<\/strong> <\/span>
\nAt that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, 2 and he said to his servants, \u201cThis is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.\u201d 3 For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,[a] 4 because John had been saying to him, \u201cIt is not lawful for you to have her.\u201d<\/span><\/h3>\nHis Question Matthew 11: 1-6<\/strong> <\/span>
\nWhen Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. 2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, \u201cAre you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?\u201d 4 And Jesus answered them, \u201cGo and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers[ are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.\u201d<\/span><\/h3>\nHis Mission Matthew 11: 7-15<\/strong><\/span>
\n7 <\/sup>\u00a0As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: \u201cWhat did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?<\/span>
\n8 <\/sup>\u00a0What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings\u201d\u2122 houses.<\/span>
\n9 <\/sup>\u00a0What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.<\/span>
\n10 <\/sup>\u00a0This is he of whom it is written,<\/span> \u201c\u201d\u02dcBehold, I send my messenger before your face,<\/span> who will prepare your way before you.\u201d\u2122<\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n11 <\/sup>\u00a0Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.<\/span>
\n12 <\/sup>\u00a0From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.<\/span>
\n13 <\/sup>\u00a0For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John,<\/span>
\n14 <\/sup>\u00a0and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.<\/span>
\n15 <\/sup>\u00a0He who has ears to hear, let him hear.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n