Reading Assignment
Things To Consider
- Matthew moves quickly to adulthood in chapter three.
- God remembers and keeps his promises. The final words of the older testament spoke of John the Baptist.
- John's call was to repentance.
- The Jews practiced baptism but it was for proselytes that were converting to Judaism.
- Ancestry does not ensure a relationship with God.
- Religion cannot save one from sin.
- Jesus' baptism was for identification, not repentance. Jesus had no reason to repent because he was without sin.
- The Son has the Father's approval and he brings the Father great pleasure.
- The Father decrees, the Son accomplishes, and the Spirit applies.
- The same Spirit that descended is the same Spirit that led Jesus to the wilderness.
- The forty day fast is connected Israel being delivered from Egypt.
- Jesus would be tempted as Adam was tempted and yet Jesus would not be led into sin.
- The temptations relate to Jesus' deity.
- The word of God is the weapon for these assaults.
- One angel leaves (the devil) and other angels come to minister.
- Isaiah's prophecy is fulfilled and Jesus preaches repentance.
- Jesus calls his disciples and then as he begins to minister his fame spreads and the crowds grow.