C – 011 – The Ministry of John the Baptist

Lesson Objectives

The writers place the history of Jesus with the history of the world.

John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus.

People aren’t afraid of being told they are sinners if God sends the source.

Messiah is coming! Are you ready?

Repentance is an important part of coming into a relationship with God.

Lesson Commentary

Read Matthew 3:1-6; Mark 1:2-5; Luke 3:1-6

Christmas is over. Jesus is now a grown man, and according to Mark 6:3, He is working in the carpentry business (with His step-father, Joseph.) He will soon be thirty years old and will embark on that ministry that we have come to learn about and praise God for. Unlike the Jewish tradition of the Talmud, He will soon start telling people how God really wants us to live, and how we can be saved from the consequences of our sins. We are now going to begin the study of the adult life (and teachings) of Jesus.

Before we get into Jesus’ ministry, lets find out what has happened to John the Baptist. He has been given the responsibility of introducing Jesus as our Messiah and Savior. He gets to set the stage for Jesus. What do the Gospels have to tell us about him?

John’s Time Is Established In History

Lk. 3:1 – Tiberius Caesar will reign from A.D. 14-37. He isn’t as kind a ruler as his father, Augustus. His reign is marked with covetousness, drunkenness, and cruelty. Luke first identifies John by time (Luke 3:1-2a), place (Luke 3:2b-3a), and function (Luke 3:3b-6). Luke provides the best clear date for the ministry of John and therefore of Jesus: the fifteenth year of Tiberius would be A.D. 28-29. Pontius Pilate is “Prefect” (technically not “governor”) of Judea from 26 to 36. In addition Luke mentions three Tetrarchs (a Tetrarch rules one fourth of a region): Herod Antipas and Philip are sons of Herod the Great and rule Galilee, Perea, and the northeast areas of Ituraea and Trachonitus. Lysanias is one of several by that name who ruled Abilene, still farther to the north of Galilee. (See Map of Herod’s Divided Kingdoms.) Pilate is also not well liked by the Jews and vice versa. He has little conscience and is much influenced by his wife. Philip is the “best” of the sons of Herod the Great. Under his rule, the Jews suffer little and life is considerably more tolerable.

A typical view of the "wilderness" at the Qumran caves. It is rugged, dry and lonely. Photo courtesy of Glen & Sylvia Copple

Lk. 3:2a – The principal religious authorities are high priests. Their office is for life but the Romans appoint them to office, as they will. Annas serves between A.D. 6 and 15 by legal succession. His son-in-law, Caiaphas replaces him, but apparently most of the Jews still regard him as the High Priest. Caiaphas will hold the office between A.D. 18 and 36.

A point to remember: Jesus is an established point in history, not a mythical illusion. Even Josephus, a Jewish historian of Jesus’ day mentions Jesus and that His followers “exist to this day.” Into this established point in history comes John the Baptist, Jesus cousin, preaching to the people to repent and make ready for the coming Messiah. Our story has already been going on, but to those of Jesus’ day, it is just beginning. Most of them are oblivious to Jesus and are still looking for God to break this three hundred year period of silence. They remember nothing of the events of Bethlehem some thirty years prior and have forgotten if they knew anything at all about them, of the events only eighteen years earlier in the Temple during the Feast of the Passover. However, there is a great expectancy that opens the door of curiosity regarding John’s message. It is by the foolishness of “preaching,” not the power of an armed rebellion and force, that God chooses to change the hearts of man. That speaks to the greater power of the spoken word in the process of persuading people to change their lives. Are you proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ as the Savior from our sins?

John Is Established In Place

Lk. 3:2b – The “desert” is located near the Jordan River just north of the Dead Sea. (Compare Luke’s comments to those of Matthew and Mark for a clearer understanding.) It is believed that John grew up in the hill country around Hebron (south of Jerusalem.) He migrates over to the Jordan River for his ministry so that those who repent may be baptized. John is probably preaching close to where the Jericho road crosses over the Jordan River. This is a major route for Jews going between Galilee and Judea. That will attract a lot of passersby, who will spread the news and draw others to travel to hear what John has to say. The desert is also spiritually symbolical of Israel’s coming out of the desert to the Promised Land. Now, John is calling them out of a “spiritual” desert to the “Promised Land” of eternal life. How many people do you know today that are wandering around in their spiritual desert of sin? What are you doing to introduce them to Jesus?

Mt. 3:1; Mk. 1:4; Lk. 3:3 – Luke offers no explanation as to how the “Word of the Lord” comes to John. God can reveal His word/will to us in several ways. We can experience God speaking to us today by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the Church to reveal Himself, His purposes and His ways. John is now thirty years old and, by Jewish custom, it is now time for him to enter into the service of the Temple. However, due to the call of God, He has a different Ministry to do. After Malachi there has been no prophet, nor any pretender to prophecy, until John the Baptist, to whom the prophet Malachi points more directly than any of the other Old Testament prophets have done (see Malachi 3:1). Couple with this, the hatred the Jews have for being under the Roman rule and you have a volatile bunch of Jews waiting for a leader to come and free them from their oppression. What is it that you are seeking from God, physical deliverance or spiritual salvation?

John Is Established In Function

Mt. 3:2 – Mark and Luke mention to their Roman and Gentile readers that John baptizes followers as a sign that they have repented of their sinful behavior. This is an act of their acknowledging that they are sinners and need a Savior. It is for our salvation that Jesus has been born and He will soon resolve the sin problem by His death on the cross for our sins. (Compare this to Acts 2:38 when Peter tells the first converts to be immersed.) Matthew clearly avoids saying that this baptism offers any release from sin. It merely acknowledges that the person is guilty as charged and is trying to change their life. Matthew will make it clear that forgiveness is only through Jesus death on the cross and subsequent resurrection (see Matthew 26:28.)
River Jordan where Jesus was probably baptized. Photo courtesy of Glen & Sylvia Copple

Baptism is not an unfamiliar rite to the Jews. In Jesus’ day it is an accepted initiation of a proselyte into Judaism. The Qumran community used immersion as a rite for several activities. (The Qumran community is comprised mostly of Essene Jews who live in the desert on the west side of the Dead Sea.) They avoid the Romans and seek to be more of a community of religious worshippers all to themselves. John’s baptism differs from this Jewish proselyte baptism in that John’s baptism is administered to Israelites. It differs from Qumran baptism of purification in that it is given once for all time to soldiers, to publicans, and to sinners, who are not usually accepted in full communion with God’s people.

John is calling the Jews to repent of their sin, to admit that they are sinners. He reminds them that they have not kept the Mosaical Law according to God’s standards. Repentance involves a change of mind/heart to “turn around.” If you change the mind, you change the behavior. It means that the person is going to change how they live from doing sin to doing what is right in God’s eyes. Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward change – an initiation rite signifying their allegiance to God. It marks the Jew as one who is preparing for the coming Messiah. Matthew gives a reason to repent – “the Kingdom of Heaven is very near.” How much closer are we to the “Kingdom of Heaven” today?

John’s listeners are submitting to baptism as a symbolical sign of acknowledging that forgiveness is something they need and are undone without. This involves repentance before God and acknowledgement of their sinfulness and a desire to change their lives. They don’t ask if they are forgiven before they are baptized or after. They only act in obedience to what John has told them to do. The Greek text implies that this baptism leads to or is in reference to the remission of sins, as opposed to being a result or on account of the removal of sins.

Map showing the territories of the four Rulers. Herod Antipas ruled Galilee and Perea. Philip rules Iturea and Trachonitus, north and east of the Sea of Galilee. Pilate rules Judea and Samaria. Lysannias rules the area around Abilene, north of Iturea. Map courtesy of "Great People of the Bible and How They Lived"

Mt. 3:3; Mk. 1:2; Lk. 3:4 – Mark includes a quote from Malachi 3:1 and 4:5. Luke goes into greater detail in quoting Isaiah than the others, although all three quote the passage, which Isaiah wrote some seven hundred years before John’s day. Malachi was written some three hundred years ago. When God makes a prophetic statement, it is often many, sometimes hundreds of, years before it is fulfilled, but it is always fulfilled. Clearly, John the Baptist has been foretold in the Old Testament. How long has mankind been expecting the immediate Second Coming of Jesus? We know that it will happen, but we have been actively waiting for nearly two thousand years.

Mk. 1:3 – John has been sent before Jesus to do a specific job. He is telling others that the Messiah is coming. He is introducing Jesus to the Jewish world. Isaiah is the most evangelical of the Old Testament Prophets. He speaks more for the salvation from sin than any of the other Old Testament prophets. Luke includes more of Isaiah’s quote than the other Gospel writers do (See Isaiah 40:3-5.) Are you telling anyone about Jesus’ coming?

Lk. 3:5 – After about four hundred years of silence, the voice of one crying in the wilderness with a message not unlike that of the prophet Isaiah draws the attention of many in Judea. John is offering something in his message that the people want. They want to be saved (from their Roman oppressors.) It takes a full day to walk from Jerusalem downhill to the Jordan River. Word spreads by word-of-mouth and more people flock to hear John preach. John will straighten the affections and thoughts of the people to look for the promised Messiah. John’s preaching is the beginning of the Gospel ordinances of preaching and baptizing.
John’s Physical Identity

Mt. 3:4; Mk. 1:6 – Matthew and Mark describe John’s appearance and the impact of his message. John’s appearance bears a semblance to his predecessors – Elijah, Isaiah and other Old Testament prophets. Camel’s hair garments are very uncomfortable, but they are the typical attire of prophets according to Zechariah 13:4. John’s attire and message, as that of a prophet, has a great impact. John does not enjoy the delicacies of the “modern” life, but subjects himself to the lifestyle of the Old Testament Prophets before him. His diet consists primarily of locusts, which can be readily found in the countryside around where he is preaching. Wild honey will also be natural to the area, so these become the staple in John’s diet. He very seldom, if ever, goes to Jerusalem or any nearby city for food and other provisions. If it weren’t for the fact that he does seek to interact with others, John could almost be described as a hermit. His dress, diet and general manner are quite a contrast to the Pharisees, other religious leaders and priests of the Jews.

Mt. 3:5; Mk 1:5 – Judea is the area around, south and west of Jerusalem that is occupied by the last descendants of Benjamin and Judah. The people of Judea have desired to hear from a prophet for about four hundred years. When John appears, they want to see and hear what he has to say. Many will travel for days to hear him speak and to repent and be baptized by him in the Jordan River. How far are you willing to go to hear someone tell you that you are a sinner and need to live a more Godly life?

Mt. 3:6 – John’s message is getting through to the people. They are repenting of their sins in large numbers and are being immersed in the Jordan River as a symbol of their repentance. This symbol of immersion in water makes their repentance more of a process and not merely a passing verbal expression.

Next week, we are going to look into the preaching of John the Baptist. What kind of man is this that will get people to walk for days just to hear him tell them that they are sinners and that they better repent or else? How can John help us improve our influence in the world? Come and see!

Meanwhile, read Matthew 3:7-12; Mark 1:6-8; Lk. 3:7-18.

“Walking With Jesus”

Lesson Commentary

LOC – 011 – The MESSIAH IS COMING!
How to Fulfill God’s Purpose for Your Life

When was the last time you were involved in a “Surprise Party?” Did someone post themselves as a lookout to advise you of the arrival of the individual that was to be surprised? Did you ever serve in the military? Did you do guard duty or were you an advance man on a patrol? How about preparing for the arrival of a very special person – a political dignitary or well-known celebrity? Did you get involved in making preparations for their arrival? Did you tell others so they would be ready when this person came?

In history, when the king was coming, someone went ahead to tell others to get ready, “The King is Coming!” Today, when the President or Governor is coming, certain preparations have to be made to assure their safety, designate where they will be at what time and who will be allowed to see them. Jesus gets the same treatment about six months before He starts His ministry!

Jesus is a real person in an established point of time and history! Jesus is now an adult, but before He begins His ministry, the world has to be told that He is coming just like any king or dignitary is announced! There is some preparation that needs to occur to help launch His Kingdom!

In Matthew 3:1-4; Mark 1:4-6; Luke 3:1-6, John the Baptist begins his ministry announcing the coming of the Messiah. The Christ is coming. Luke’s Gospel establishes this event in world history. Historical persons include Tiberius Caesar (who was a worse ruler than Augustus), Pilate (who was a “Prefect,” not a governor), Herod, Philip (two sons of Herod the Great), Lysanias (These were three “Tetrarchs” – ruler of a ¼), Annas, who was the legal High Priest by the Mosaical Law and Caiaphas who was appointed by the Roman government. At that time, they had two High Priests one by succession and one by government.

Recognize the Life Changing Call of the Gospel – Matthew 3:1; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:1-3a

John the Baptist is an unusual herald! At age thirty, the time when a priest would begin his work, John doesn’t go to Jerusalem like most priests, but he goes to the desert near a road and the Jordan River! He originally came from around Hebron. Later, he will be placed near Aenon that is, a few miles south of the Sea of Galilee. He wore camel hair (not skins) clothes, leather belt and had a diet of locusts and honey! This attire and behavior reflects that John the Baptist is a prophet in the pattern of the Old Testament!

We don’t have to become some extreme eccentric or weird person to proclaim the Gospel, but we do have to recognize the power of God calling you to step up and change other people’s lives by communicating the salvation through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Recognize how God has called and equipped you to be a witness for His Kingdom.

Embrace the call of God – Matthew 3:1-3; Mark 1:2-3; Luke 3:3b-6

John initially preaches to passersby. God entrusts His Kingdom to be proclaimed by the messages of men. (What are you doing to tell others, “Jesus is coming”?) These people will tell others who will travel miles and days just to hear John preach. Everyone is interested in hearing from God’s spokesman! He is the first prophet since Malachi!

Our challenge is to find what God has called us to do and put our heart into it.

Be genuine in your Life and Message – Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6

Repent and be immersed in water for the forgiveness of sins! Repent means to “turn around.” John is telling the Jews that they have not kept the Mosaical Law.

If you change the mind, you will change the behavior! We will not change to become more like Christ until we first admit that we have sinned and that we need to stop that sinful behavior and walk in the way of Christ.

Meet People where they are at spiritually – Matthew 3:5-6; Mark 1:5

John the Baptist’s immersion is a sign (initiation rite) signifying that they are acknowledging that they are sinners and they want to change their lives to stop sinning! Immersion used as an initiation rite of Jewish proselytes. Jesus will later ordain this rite and the Apostles will perform it on all who become believers in Jesus as their Lord.

Meeting people where they are is not accomplished by condemnation, but by showing the way to deliverance. Most know they need a Savior, they just don’t know how to connect to Jesus. Meet them and show them the way.

Lovingly communicate the consequences of not following God’s way – Matthew 3:2; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3

Sin is the problem and Jesus is the SOLUTION! Repentance is our first step towards coming to Jesus. The King is Coming! Get ready! This is no ordinary King that John is telling them about. It will take months to get the people informed! This fulfills prophecies in Malachi (Mark) and Isaiah (Luke).The people will have little memory, if any, of the events that happened 30 years ago. To them the news about Jesus is new and they are open to hearing what John has to say about Him.

The People’s Response!

When people hear about John and his preaching, they travel for days to the place where he was so they could hear him preach!It takes a full day to walk from Jerusalem downhill to the Jordan River. If John is further north, it will take another day or two to get to where he is preaching and baptizing. Many responded to his message and were immersed in the Jordan River. What is your response? Do you believe in Jesus as your King?

CONCLUSION

Christians know that He is coming again, but without any more warning than we have been receiving for the last 2000 years. Are you prepared? He’s coming for you!

NEXT WEEK: We are going to hear some “Hell, fire and brimstone” preaching!