Tagged: Prepare the Way

Mark 1:1-8

This text is used for the Lectionary Year B on December 7, 2014.

We as preachers have an incredible task before us this Advent.  We are challenged with the opportunity to preach the message of “the good news of Jesus Christ” (Mark 1:1) in a way that it has never been preached before.  Of course, this task presents us with quite the challenge: How do we present the “good news” in a fresh, new way to a congregation full of many, if not most, if not all of the same folks who heard it last week, and the week before that?  Continue reading →

Matthew 3:1-12

This text is used for the Lectionary Year A on December 8, 2013.

This scene out of the gospel of Matthew continues the theme of fulfillment.  Jesus came to fulfill the plan of God. John came before Jesus to fulfill the role of royal herald.  When royalty traveled to any part of the expansive kingdom heralds were sent before them announcing their coming and preparing the people for the royal visitation.  It was imperative that the people understood their position in relation to the coming King. The herald not only announced the coming of the king, but also modeled the appropriate demeanor and attitude when hosting the king.  Not only did John fulfill the prophecy found in Isaiah 40:3, but he also spoke of the one who was coming in a way that exalted the king, and diminished the herald (Matthew 3:11; John 3:30).

In this section of Scripture, Matthew introduced John and his preaching (Matthew 3:1-6), portrayed the confrontation between John and the Jewish religious leadership (Matthew 3:7-10), and highlighted the difference between the ministry of John and Jesus (Matthew 3:11-12).  The entire scene seemed to have two basic functions: to introduce the enemies of Jesus (the Pharisees and Sadducees); and, explain the relationship between Jesus and John the Baptist.

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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.

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