Matthew 3:1-12
This text is used for the Lectionary Year A on December 8, 2013.
All four gospels open with the figure of John the Baptist and connect his ministry and message to Jesus. Each draws attention to John’s role as a fulfillment of Isaiah 40:3. In the Fourth Gospel John the Baptist has the exclusive role of introducing Jesus as the Lamb of God and pointing his own disciples toward him. However, in the Synoptic Gospels John is primarily a prophet of repentance anticipating the appearance of the Messiah and the advent of the Kingdom of God.
Matthew summarizes John’s message simply: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come” (3:2). He identifies John as the one prophesied by Isaiah who would prepare the path of the Lord in the wilderness, making smooth the way of his coming to his people.