How Things Work: A Brief History of Reality
BOOK II: The Power of Three (Science & Religion) – Consideration #103. "John The Baptist"
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Tuesday October 3, 2023
“Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist…”
– Jesus (Matthew 11:11)
PREFACE
Welcome Everybody!
John the Baptist certainly reflects a unique character unto himself. In Matthew, John is preordained from “conception” for a specific purpose; to prepare the Jews for the arrival of the Messiah. Matthew directly connects John to the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, who had prophesied about a suffering Messiah who would bring redemption to all “mankind.” John is described as wearing clothes made from camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, living in the wilderness on locusts and wild honey.
According to Matthew:
“People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.”
Matthew 3:5-6
John reflects the role of a traditional Old Testament prophet who is sent by God to warn his people about the consequences of their sin. However, for John, and Jesus, much of this sin originates from the religious leaders of Judaism, who have manipulated the Law of Moses to gain power and authority. They had broken the spirit of their covenant with God. John sternly warns them that someone much greater than he, would be coming to restore that covenant. He was simply preparing the way for the Messiah.
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
– Matthew 3:11
CONSIDERATION #103 – John the Baptist
John the Baptist plays a significant role in the story of Jesus, particularly in the book of Matthew. John represents a traditional Jewish prophet, railing against human hypocrisy, especially among the priests and rulers of Israel.
John recognizes the corruption throughout the entire system, including the king, high priests, Pharisees, and Sadducees. Always proclaiming the sanctity of putting others under “the law” yet breaking or abusing it themselves. Claiming the righteousness of their covenant with God through Abraham, Moses, and the law, while breaking the spirit of every commandment. John not only calls them out on their hypocrisy, but he also calls them out publicly without mercy.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them:
“You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
– Matthew 3:7-10
In traditional Old Testament fashion, John reflects the voice of an angry and wrathful God. He is here to proclaim the corruption that has infected the Jewish tradition, and prepare the way for a revolutionary new leader who will bring true righteousness back to the people of Israel: The Messiah.
Matthew sets up the importance of John’s connection to the prophetic tradition of Judaism to help support the revelation that Jesus is the new Messiah, by referencing a prophecy from the great prophet Isaiah identifying John as the one prophesied to prepare the way for him.
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
– Matthew 3:1-3
In Matthew, another proof of Jesus being the Messiah is John’s, and more importantly, God’s, recognition, proclamation, and acceptance of his true identity.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
– Matthew 3:13-16
Although John recognizes the authority of Jesus, Jesus insists that all righteousness must be fulfilled. This is recognition that Jesus does not intend to destroy or tear down the Law of Moses. He seeks to transcend the law in order to fulfill “all righteousness.” Not only is Jesus recognized and acknowledged by the prophet John, but God also Himself directly claims Jesus as his Son, in whom He is well pleased.
Unlike Adam, Abraham, Moses, and all others who God had previously attempted to work with, this acknowledgement makes Jesus the first human being who had not displeased or disappointed God.
POSTSCRIPT
The baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist marks the beginning of Jesus’ mission. However, John’s mission now completed, he is taken prisoner by Herod and beheaded. Upon hearing about John’s execution, Jesus reconfirms not only John’s stature and importance, but his own as well.
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John:
“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you...’From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence and violent people have been raiding it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. Whoever has ears, let them hear…
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
– Matthew 11:7-19
After being baptized by John and fulfilling “all righteousness” Jesus moves into the next stage of his earthly mission, proving his faith and commitment to God.
Next week Jesus must overcome the tests and temptations of Satan…
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