12.27.20 Sunday School
Unit 1: The Beginning of a Call
Called To Prepare The Way | Bible Background • MATTHEW 2:7–15 | Printed Text • MATTHEW 2:7–15 | Devotional Reading • EXODUS 1:8–22
AIM FOR CHANGE
By the end of this lesson, we will RECOGNIZE the reality of sin and the necessity of repentance, IDENTIFY with John the Baptist in his call to prepare the way for Christ, and REPENT of their sins and bear witness to this repentance through their deeds.
IN FOCUS
Rather than exchanging gifts, Kathy’s family went on a Christmas tour of the Holy Lands, beginning in Egypt. They did all the touristy things—seeing the great pyramids, sailing up the Nile River, and even getting on camels for pictures. Their tour guide focused on the time the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, but Kathy was thinking of Mary, Joseph, and young Jesus seeking sanctuary here while King Herod was carrying out his plan to murder any potential rival king. Kathy followed the tour guide through a market teeming with brown and black people, some matching her own skin tone. She thought that the white people often portrayed in Bible art would surely stand out in a crowd like this. A more historically accurate portrayal of the holy family would blend right in, here in Mother Africa.
Kathy’s son, Stephen, had begun saying that Jesus was only for white people. “Not only was Jesus first imposed on us by slave owners,” Stephen would say, “He also doesn’t seem to care about black issues like police brutality, colorism, or badly funded schools.” Here in Egypt, though, Kathy could see that idea was wrong. Jesus was no “white Savior”; He was everyone’s Savior. That night she shared her photos and thoughts with Stephen. Kathy’s trip to Egypt and Israel made her feel even closer to Jesus.
What happens when we view historic happenings through only one cultural lens? How do we make sure we are not blind to the unique perspectives of other cultures’ lenses?
Keep in Mind
” For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” (Matthew 3:3, KJV)
Focal Verses Matthew 3:-12 (KJV)
1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness,
Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was
locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation
of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of
these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good
fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes
I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he
will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness,
Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was
locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation
of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of
these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good
fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes
I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he
will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
The People, Places, and Times
John the Baptist. John was a miracle child, born to childless, elderly parents—the priest Zacharias and his wife
Elisabeth (Luke 1:5– 25). While still pregnant, Elisabeth received a visit from her cousin Mary, who also had
been divinely chosen to bear a child—Jesus. The baby in Elisabeth’s womb jumped at Mary’s voice (Luke
1:44).
John the Baptist. John was a miracle child, born to childless, elderly parents—the priest Zacharias and his wife
Elisabeth (Luke 1:5– 25). While still pregnant, Elisabeth received a visit from her cousin Mary, who also had
been divinely chosen to bear a child—Jesus. The baby in Elisabeth’s womb jumped at Mary’s voice (Luke
1:44).
John was the prophesied forerunner of Jesus even before his birth. The public reception of John’s ministry was
tremendous (Mark 1:5). John took no credit for the response to his preaching but properly relegated himself to
the role of messenger, rather than savior.
Wilderness. In the Old and New Testaments, the wilderness served as a place God chose to meet with, chastise,
and revive His children. The wilderness was also the place where Jesus endured a forty-day fast, encountered
Satan, and overcame temptation (Matthew 4:1–11). We often think of wildernesses as deserts, because the
wilderness the Israelites wandered before entering the Promised Land is in an arid region. The word, however,
merely refers to a region with a low population, a place of solitude. Because John did not venture into the cities
to preach, people had to come out of those cities into the wilderness to hear him.
How have places of solitude been important in your spiritual journey?
Background
After a long prophetic silence, John bursts onto the scene. This sudden appearance further emphasizes the
silence the Israelites have been enduring from God. The last time God had spoken to His people was through
the prophet Malachi, around 400 BC. Fittingly though, Malachi was the very prophet to foretell the ministry of
John (Malachi 3:1; 4:5). There is also a long lapse of time between the end of Matthew 2 and the beginning of
Matthew 3. Near the end of Matthew 2, we leave Jesus as a young child growing up in Nazareth (see Matthew
2:21-23). By the time we reach Matthew 3, John, who was born only several months before Jesus, is a grown
man “preaching in the wilderness of Judaea.”
John’s ministry was preaching and baptizing ministry that anticipated the ministry of Jesus. John’s ministry
called people to a confession of sins, to repentance, and to the acknowledgment of the coming one who cleanses
us from sins and provides the Spirit who enables living right (Matthew 3:6-12). John’s baptism was a public
affirmation that the repentant and now-baptized participants were positioned to receive God’s saving grace and
presence. They had repented, been cleansed, and were ready to follow the imminent Messiah.
If you have been baptized, what did it symbolize to you? How is baptism viewed in your church?
At-A-Glance
1. Preaching the Kingdom (Matthew 3:1–4)
2. Baptizing the Repentant (vv. 5-6)
3. Rebuking the Dishonest (vv. 7-10)
4. Prophesying the Messiah (vv. 11–12)
In Depth
1. Preaching the Kingdom (Matthew 3:1–4)
The people recognized John as a prophet. God had promised to send Elijah before the coming of the Day of the
Lord (Malachi 4:5). When John came dressed in camel’s hair with a leather belt, he even appeared like Elijah (2
Kings 1:8). John’s ministry being in “the wilderness of Judaea” fulfills a prophecy of Isaiah, and again links
John to Elijah, who often spent time in the wilderness (1 Kings 17:5–7; 19:4, 15).
John’s ministry had two emphases. First, his ministry called people to repentance. John was intent on calling
people to turn from their old ways and pursue God’s righteousness. Second, his ministry announced the
nearness of the kingdom of heaven. God’s kingdom coming soon further urges people to repent, but also gives
hope of forthcoming improvement. The coming of God’s kingdom on the Day of the Lord is a time of
judgment. The Jews would desire to make themselves pure so they could pass God’s judgment.
2. Baptizing the Repentant (vv. 5-6)
People responded to John’s message and came from all over the Jordan Valley. When they confessed their sin,
he baptized them in the Jordan River. While we cannot be certain of the source of John’s practice of baptism, it
is likely based on various common purification rituals of the time. It is obvious from the context that his
baptism was offered as a public sign that those being baptized had received and accepted his message.
Despite John’s rough clothing and limited diet, people were attracted to John because of the quality and content of his
preaching. There is a lesson in this for today’s church. We like to have beautiful worship facilities, hopefully as
a sign of our honor to God, rather than a show for ourselves. Ultimately, though, our beautiful buildings or
fashionable dress is not what attracts people to Jesus Christ. Real Christian disciples are made as a result of
clear and perceptive handling of the Gospel.
preaching. There is a lesson in this for today’s church. We like to have beautiful worship facilities, hopefully as
a sign of our honor to God, rather than a show for ourselves. Ultimately, though, our beautiful buildings or
fashionable dress is not what attracts people to Jesus Christ. Real Christian disciples are made as a result of
clear and perceptive handling of the Gospel.
3. Rebuking the Dishonest (vv. 7-10)
While John’s ministry was successful, it did not go unchallenged. Even though the Pharisees and Sadducees had
their differences, they were united in their opposition to John’s ministry. In return, he calls them “vipers” and
questions their sincerity. The religious leaders are in danger of God’s judgment, as John reveals in his metaphor
about the ax and tree. Their aim is solely to escape God’s punishment for sin, rather than demonstrating a
commitment to abandon their evil behavior and lead righteous lives.
John the Baptist also questions their pride in their religious heritage. He reminds them that God could easily
turn something as commonplace as a stone into a faithful follower. Rather than automatically conferring a holier
status on the Jews, being a child of Abraham means they have a clearer revelation of how God expects them to
act.
How can we be sure to produce “good fruit” and avoid God’s punishment?
4. Prophesying the Messiah (vv. 11–12)
John is emphatic about the relationship of his ministry to that of Jesus. John’s purpose is to call people to
repentance. Jesus’ purpose is to save us all. In other words, John awakens people’s desire for righteousness.
Jesus provides the righteousness of God to those who believe and empowers us to live righteously through the
Holy Spirit (Romans 3:22; Acts 1:8). Both ministries are needed even today. If the unchurched are to accept
Christ and live righteously, they need someone to awaken within them the desire for righteousness.
John uses the pictures of fire and the threshing floor to explain Jesus’ ministry. Fire suggests the purification of
metal, which must suffer extreme heat to burn away its impurities. Sometimes as we go through hard times,
God is using them to purify our characters. On a threshing floor, harvested wheat is tossed into the air and the
breeze blows away the lightweight, useless chaff, leaving the heavy grain to fall to the ground. The farmer then
stores the wheat and burns away any chaff that remains. Likewise, God will diligently and easily separate His
true followers from the hypocrites.
Search the Scriptures
1. What was John the Baptist’s primary message (Matthew 3:1–2)?
2. What did the people do before John baptized them (v. 6)?
3. According to John, how would Jesus baptize (vv. 11–12)?
Discuss the Meaning
John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance only. His baptism was to prepare people’s hearts for the coming of
the Messiah. Several Scripture passages talk about the baptism of John being insufficient after the death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ (for instance, see the story of Apollos in Acts 18:24–26). Read Romans 6:4 and
discuss the symbolism of Christian baptism and how it goes beyond simple repentance. Discuss your
understanding of the meaning of baptism when you were baptized. Can you think of ways to make baptism
more meaningful at your church?
Liberating Lesson
Given the ever-present temptation of sin and evil, the church still needs John’s kind of preaching ministry.
Moral standards must be set and people need to be reminded of their potential for growth in the things of God.
The message of repentance, forgiveness, and the call to live right can revitalize and bring spiritual renewal to
people. The ministry of sharing our testimony and giving witness of Jesus Christ is the call and responsibility of
every believer. Like John the Baptist, we too are to seek to awaken in people a desire for righteousness. We are
to do this in the confidence that when desire is awakened, God will grant salvation through faith in Jesus Christ
and convey righteousness by the power of the Holy Spirit to all who will believe.
Application for Activation
While the desire to avoid divine retribution may be a motive for right living, it is not the best motive. We should
desire to live right because it is the right thing to do in response to God’s love for us. It is far better to pour
one’s energies into bringing forth fruit suitable for repentance to glorify God, rather than to pour one’s energies
into merely avoiding the wrath to come. God is concerned about right motive, as well as right behavior.
Repentance that is acceptable to God results in right behavior that is sustained not by a fear of hell, but by
unconditional love for God.
This week, examine your reasons for following Christ and doing the work of the church. Are you motivated by
your love for God or by fear? If you feel any fear—whether of rejection, failure, or inadequacy—meditate
instead on God’s great love for you and see how that can change your motivation.
Follow the Spirit
What God wants me to do:
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Remember Your Thoughts
Special insights I have learned:
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Daily Bible Readings
MONDAY
A Voice Cries, “Comfort My People”
(Isaiah 40:1–5)
TUESDAY
John the Baptist Is the Greatest
(Matthew 11:2–15)
WEDNESDAY
The Baptist’s Testimony of Faith
(John 1:19–34)
THURSDAY
Jesus, the Father’s Beloved Son
(Matthew 17:1–8)
FRIDAY
In John, Elijah Has Come
(Matthew 17:9–13; Malachi 4:4–5)
SATURDAY
John Baptizes Jesus in the Jordan
(Matthew 3: 13–17)
SUNDAY
John Prepares the Way for Jesus
(Matthew 3:1–12)
MONDAY
A Voice Cries, “Comfort My People”
(Isaiah 40:1–5)
TUESDAY
John the Baptist Is the Greatest
(Matthew 11:2–15)
WEDNESDAY
The Baptist’s Testimony of Faith
(John 1:19–34)
THURSDAY
Jesus, the Father’s Beloved Son
(Matthew 17:1–8)
FRIDAY
In John, Elijah Has Come
(Matthew 17:9–13; Malachi 4:4–5)
SATURDAY
John Baptizes Jesus in the Jordan
(Matthew 3: 13–17)
SUNDAY
John Prepares the Way for Jesus
(Matthew 3:1–12)