Matthew 3:1-12

****Week 1 Memory Verse****

In those days John the Baptist came preaching

in the wilderness of Judea,  and saying,

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 

For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’”

Matthew 3:1-3

 

 

READ MATTHEW 3:1-12!

John the Baptist Prepares The Way

One of my favorite people in the Bible is John the Baptist.  To put it modernly, he “kept it real”.  He went all over Judea preaching “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand”,  and baptism for the remission of sins.  He was sent to prepare a way for the coming of Jesus, which was prophesied about in Isaiah.  He taught hard, letting everyone know, someone was coming, who he wasn’t even worthy enough to carry his shoes!!!  Jesus was coming and he was about to clean house!  Even when the Pharisees and Sadducees came, he let them know, not to come to be baptized, because it was the popular thing to do, but clean your house, live right, let your life show that your repentance and fruit, that you may receive God’s mercy.  John the Baptist was clearly on a mission to make a way for the teachings of Jesus.

This clearly applies to us still today.  To prepare the way for Jesus in our lives, we must confess and turn from our sins.  I use this saying a lot, but it’s very true here, we must keep our house clean.  If you have visitors coming to visit, you make sure that your house is tidy and neat.  That goes for Jesus and sin.  If we want Jesus in our lives, to visit our house, we have to have a repentant heart and turn from our sin.  Prepare the way in your life for Jesus to enter in and work in your heart, and your light will shine.  Acts 3:19

 

TIME OF REFLECTION:

Ask yourself today, “How clean is my house?”  Take time and ask the Lord to show you in your life what is unpleasing to him.  Be prepared for what happens when you pray this, for John 14:13-14 says “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that my father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”  Take time to prepare your life for Jesus to come in, and see how he uses you.

What do you know about the life of John the Baptist?  Take a few minutes to read some passages about him.  Write down every detail you can about the man that Isaiah (40:3) prophesied would come some 700 years before his birth!  References to look at are Matthew 3, 11:7-19, 14:1-12; Mark 1:1-13; Luke 1:11-20, 57-80, 3:1-20; and John 1:19-36, 3:25-36.  Who were some of his relatives?  What did he look like?  How did he dress?  Where did he live?  What was his message?  List some significant things he did during his ministry.  How did he die?   

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  MITCHELL SANCHEZ is the husband of 5 years to Tonya, and Dad to 2.  He works in the I.T. Department at Education First F.C.U.  Mitchell attends Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas ,where he plays the drums on the Praise Team and serves as Director of the Media Department.