Devotional Questions:
Matthew 3:1-3
“As a road must be cleared of obstacles before an approaching king, John is calling for the people to clear the obstacles out of their lives that might hinder their reception of the Lord.” [1]
- Why is repentance necessary in order to receive the kingdom of heaven?
- What are some obstacles I need to clear away in order to “prepare the way for the LORD?”
Matthew 3:4-6
“…John’s diet causes him to stand out as one who has rejected the luxuries of life. His diet and clothing combine with his message to cast a powerful demand for repentance in the light of the nearness of the kingdom. He embodies in his lifestyle the message of repentance he preaches.” [2]
- What was it about John’s lifestyle that made the people “from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan” go out to see him?
- What does this say regarding what it takes to have spiritual power in my Christian witness?
Matthew 3:7-10
“People must come to God as repentant individuals without prior religious claims to advantage with God. This is, therefore, not a call solely for those living in blatant sin, as if repentance is only for ‘backsliders’ or the ‘marginal.’ It is a call of repentance for all in Israel, including the religious leaders. Unfortunately, religious activity and pedigree can often blind a person to the deficiency of his or her own life before God.”[3]
- What was the false assumption that the Pharisees and Sadducees held about their standing before God? In what ways can I be like these Pharisees and Sadducees?
- What can I learn about the characteristics of true repentance?
- What can I point to as the fruit of repentance in my life?
Additional Questions:
Matthew 3:13-15
“Why did Jesus ask to be baptized? It was not for repentance for sin because Jesus never sinned. ‘To fulfill all righteousness’ means to accomplish God’s mission. Jesus saw his baptism as advancing God’s work. Jesus was baptized because (1) he was confessing sin on behalf of the nation, as Nehemiah, Ezra, Moses, and Daniel had done; (2) he was showing support for what John was doing; (3) he was inaugurating his public ministry; (4) he was identifying with the penitent people of God, not with the critical Pharisees who were only watching. Jesus, the perfect man, didn’t need baptism for sin, but he accepted baptism in obedient service to the Father, and God showed his approval.”[4]
- What does baptism symbolize and what can I learn about the extent to which Jesus went to be our Immanuel God?
Matthew 3:16-17
Reflect on the affirming words of God the Father toward Jesus, and note that these words came before Jesus began his ministry.
[1] Wilkins, Michael J., The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004) 132.
[2] Wilkins, Michael J., The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004) 134.
[3] Wilkins, Michael J., The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004) 136.
[4] Life Application Study Bible, study notes (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers and Zondervan, 1991) 1647.
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