Matthew 3 n 4

Theme of Matthew 1-4 : Fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies

Matthew 3 begins with John, the Baptist's preaching: "REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND" (fulfilment of Isa 40:3). In Isa 40:1-2 we read that GOD had compassion on His people. He said to comfort them and let them know warfare has ended, their iniquity has been removed."

Repent is "metanoia" in Greek, which means to change one's mind, turning with contrition from sin to GOD. In Hebrew, the word "shuv" often translated "returning to the LORD". John warned that religious Jewish leaders (Pharisees and Sadducees) not to rely on the covenant Abraham had with GOD and bear no fruit but flee from the wrath or judgment that is to come and that they are to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. The kingdom is not just good news but is it like a double-edged sword that divide those who follow Jesus and those who reject Him (V. 7-10, 12)

Let's explore the concept of repentance in the OT further:

A) Isa 55:6-9 says "seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. forsake your wicked and unrighteous ways...and let Him return to the LORD."

B) Isa 44:21-23 says "Remember... O Jacob, and Israel for you are My servant, I have formed you... you will not be forgotten by Me...I have wiped out your transgressions... return to Me, for I have redeemed you."

C) Jer 3:11-15 says "Return faithless Israel, ... I will not look upon you in anger. For I am gracious... I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your iniquity... you have transgressed against the LORD, your GOD and have not obeyed My voice... I am a Master to you... will bring you to Zion."

D) Deut 30:1-3 says "return to the LORD your GOD and obey Him with all your heart and soul according to all that I command you, and your sons. Then the LORD your GOD will restore you...and have compassion on you..."

Matt 3:15 shows Jesus' humility, His identification with Israel, He relinquishes His rightful honour to embrace our shame. Jesus permitted John to baptize Him to fulfil all righteousness, meaning to fulfil John's calling and Jesus' obedience to the Father, doing all that was pleasing to GOD, thus fulfilling GOD's plan revealed in the scriptures V. 16-17 (in these two verses we see the beautiful picture of the Trinity; GOD the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit.)

Matthew 4 - V1-2 Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil after 40 days and nights of fasting. He then became hungry. What can we learn from this wilderness temptation Jesus went through?

A) Even Jesus, being GOD, used the scriptures to rebuke the tempter, what more we mere humans? Eph 6:10-17.

B) Jesus was tempted 3 times; for hunger (physical needs); for power; for material wealth (glory of the world) but He trusted GOD :

i) to take care of all His needs; He did not yield to the lust of the flesh

ii) for protection; He did not yield to the pride of life

iii) to work out His eternal plan; He did not yield to the lust of the eyes

C) The tempter also knows scriptures so we have to hide GOD's Word in our hearts so that we will not be deceived.

D) Heb 4:14-16 reminds us that Jesus is our Great High Priest, He become like one of us; tempted in all things as we are but did not sin. He can sympathize with our weaknesses. Let us draw near to Him with confidence to the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in times of need.

Now, let's explore the word "kingdom" In Greek it is "basileia" which represents the authority or the power of a reigning king or empire. Kingdom at hand means kingdom is near, on the brink of starting.

A) It started with the Israelites rejecting GOD as their King in I Sam 8:4-7 and asking the prophet Samuel for a king to judge over them. So king Saul became their first earthly king.

B) In Ps 47 we see that a GOD, the LORD most High is to be feared, He is the King of all the earth. He reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne. All power and dominion belongs to GOD, He is highly exalted.

C) Dan 4:24-26 says the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind

D) In Dan 7: 13-14 we see the prophetic vision pertaining to Israel's future. One like a Son of Man was given everlasting dominion, glory and a kingdom. All the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve Him. His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.

E) Psalm 103:19 says "The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all."

In summary, this kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, it is given dominion, glory, power and authority and rules over all the earth. It will not be destroyed.

After the wilderness temptation, Jesus withdrew to Galilee (of the Gentiles) when He heard that John had been taken into custody. Here in V15-16, the prophecy of Isa 9:1-2 is fulfilled. Here's another beautiful picture " ....people were sitting in darkness saw A GREAT LIGHT... those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, upon them A LIGHT dawned."

Thank you JESUS, You came as the LIGHT to bring hope into this dark and hopeless world, to save us from all our sins.

Jesus started His ministry on earth preaching "REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND", teaching in the synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, healing every kind of disease and sickness among the people V. 23-25.

In Matt 4: 18-22 we also see how the four fishermen; Simon Peter and Andrew, James and John Zebedee immediately followed Jesus when He called them. Note that this is not the first time they had seen Jesus. According to cross reference of the four Gospels, we see that they have encountered Jesus, heard Him preached, saw His miracles before.

Many of us have encountered Jesus in our lives. What's our respond to Him when He calls us? Reject Him? Ask Him to wait? Ignore Him? or will you be like the fishermen, be prepared to immediately obey and follow Him?

Jesus, God's righteousness revealed,
The Son of Man, the Son of God, His Kingdom come

Jesus, redemption's sacrifice

Now glorified, now testified His Kingdom come.

And this Kingdom will know no end

And it's glory shall know no bounds

For the majesty and power Of this Kingdom's King has come

And this Kingdom's reign, And this Kingdom's rule,

And this Kingdom's power and authority.

Jesus, God's righteousness revealed

Jesus, the expression of God's love

The Grace of God, the Word of God, revealed to us

Jesus, God's holiness displayed

Now glorified, now justified, His Kingdom come.

And this Kingdom will know no end

And it's glory shall know no bounds.
For the majesty and power Of this Kingdom's King has come.
And this Kingdom's reign, And this Kingdom's rule,
And this Kingdom's power and authority
Jesus, God's Righteousness revealed.