It must have been one of the most startling moments in the life of John. In Matthew 3 we are told that John is in the wilderness, calling for people to make a break with their old way of living, and to repent because the king and the kingdom are about to arrive. People are coming to John from Jerusalem, Judea, and the surrounding region, confessing their sins and being baptized. Remember that God has set John as the new Elijah, calling for the people to be renewed and restored to God. John has been telling the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to him to not be deceptive but to bear fruit worthy of repentance. But John also said that the one coming after him is so much greater and mightier than himself that he is unworthy to carry his sandals. While John is the voice in the wilderness and as people are coming to him, confessing their sins in repentance and being baptized, Jesus comes from Galilee to John. Now this may not seem like a big deal. But the reason Jesus comes is shocking. Jesus does not come for a conversation. Jesus comes like everyone else to John so that he can be baptized. Let’s read what happens in Matthew 3:13-17…
To read more of this lesson click here.
