January 3, 2008 - The Gospel According to Matthew, Chapter 3
General Comment: We are introduced to several new characters
in this chapter:
1. John the Baptist: A prophet of the old school, he
preached a baptism - purification - of repentance in preparation for
the "Day of the Lord" which he understood was coming soon with the wrathful
judgment of God. He was highly regarded by the Jews of his time and is written
about by the Jewish Historian, Josephus (90 - 95 CE). Many people of his
day believed that he was Elijah, the one who would return as a sign of the
coming Messiah. After his death his followers believed he was the Messiah who
would one day return. Followers of John still exist today in various Middle
Eastern locations.
2. The Pharisees: A conservative religious party, "The
Separated Ones," in their battle against Greek education, formed
during the mid 2nd century BCE, as part of the movement to establish a
national religious educational system to teach Torah (the Law) so that everyone
could achieve holiness through study. We will see them frequently as opponents
of Jesus. They were the "protectors" of the Oral Torah tradition.
Many Scribes were also Pharisees. After the destruction of the Temple in
Jerusalem they became those whom are called Rabbis. From 70 CE onward
they became hostile antagonists of early Christianity.
3. Sadducees: A liberal religious part, they embraced
Hellenistic (Greek) culture. Many Sadducees were Temple Priests. Wealthy
members of the aristocracy and of the Sanhedrin (High Council), they did
not believe in the resurrection as did the Pharisees. From their ranks the High
Priest was elected. They play a significant role in Jesus' arrest and
"trial." The Sadducees disappear after the Jewish war against the
Romans.
Matthew 3:1-12 The proclamation of John the Baptist
The fulfillment of Bethlehem's blessed event, the
announcement of the coming of Emmanuel, God with us, his welcome by the Magi have
brought us to this day of dawning. We are prepared for this strange man -
fitting the image of the enrobed, bearded man standing on the street corner,
holding a sign that reads, "Repent! The end is near." The image of
this prophet, standing waist high in the Jordan river, with a long growth of
beard, dressed in camel's hair, eating locusts and wild honey, must have been
strange indeed. But it was a time of great religious expectation. Looks
didn't matter. After decades of Roman rule and oppression by petty client
Kings such as Herod and his son, Herod Antipas, the people longed for the day
of God's final intervention, to establish God's Kingdom and reestablish Israel
to its Davidic glory. False Messiahs had preceded him in the Jordan, offering
purification and repossession of the Promised Land. They all failed but this
one will offer so much more.
He cries as one in the wilderness (Isa. 40:3) demanding
repentance (Malachi 3:1) and fruit worthy of repentence, because he has
"heard" a word from God: "...the Kingdom of Heaven has come
near." The baby has grown up, the man is now 2 years shy of the mature age
of 30, and he is near! All that remains is to make the people ready. And
according to Josephus, the crowds came out to John day after day in heady
expectation. Among them are Pharisees, Sadducees, the religious authorities,
who want to examine this hysteria. John castigates their presumption of a
special status based on having Abraham as their ancestor (Isa. 51:1-2).
Who are, who were your ancestors, where you grew up, how important or good
you think you are, the coming reign of God counts that as nothing, John says.
It is time to repent, to "turn around" and to face God's prophetic
word of calling. All that matters now is a decision. The one in whom God's
reign is already beginning is near, Judgment and Grace are in his hands.
He will baptize with the Holy Spirit which is the purifying fire. What do you
say? How do you decide, pilgrim?
Matthew 3:13-17 The Baptism of Jesus
John sees this man approaching the water. He is struck by a
waking dream of recognition. "I know who you are," he says to
himself. John knows himself as God's agent, spokesperson, worth little beyond
the words he speaks but are not his own. But this one here! Jesus wades out to
John and offers himself for baptism. John resists. Jesus is not to be
dissuaded, even as the awkwardness John exhibits in resistance
is matched within Jesus by a vague sense of confusion
about his own insistence. But the content of this scene is transparent.
John feels unworthy. Jesus believes it is necessary that both of them fulfill
all righteousness by heeding the will of God which has brought them and all
the penitent crowds to this moment and to this shore. It has not yet
been revealed to either what this moment will offer.
Jesus' insistence is more than that. It is a first exercise
of authority, his first act of discovery. He will do this thing because it is
God's will and that will includes him. That will is an outline of Jesus'
future. It is what he will be, defined in word and act. He has to listen to it
speak to him in this moment which cannot come again. He goes under the Jordan's coursing
water, that great Jewish symbol of the Holy Spirit that fills the soul with the
breath of life, even new life. Did he now understand his true identity and
destiny in the still space between below and above the surface, or was it as he
rose and filled his lungs with the morning air? Perhaps it was not even part of
time, but it was distinct, that "bat qol," the daughter of a voice
wafting as lightly as a dove's fluttering wings, bearing words more
thought than spoken. "This is my son, the beloved, with whom I am well
pleased." The Heavens have been opened, the idea of separation,
space and time disappear, and there he is, Emmanuel, God with us, wet from the
womb of Heaven and wondering.
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John the Baptist seems a strange forerunner of the Messiah.
Yet, Matthew has already told us that God uses all kinds of people - even
you and me - to move God's purpose along. What remains is the unknown factor X of
our participation in that purpose. Matthew helps us understand where we stand
by calling us in John's compelling and colorful language to make a
decision. It foreshadows the same call Jesus will give to others during
his ministry of word and actions on the dusty roads between Nazareth and Jerusalem:
the call to change our hearts and minds. John calls for repentance,
changing directions, but more accurately for us, turning to face God and
listening for what we should become. Jesus turned and found his destiny, or at
least its beginning. Each step would reveal more. So it is with us. We turn to
face God and catch a glimpse of the possibilities. Moses "turned
aside" when Yahweh called out of the burning bush and he took the first
steps toward Egypt. Most of us haven't seen many burning bushes lately, at
least not that kind. But we are all surrounded by opportunities that call out
to us to take a hold of the possible in our Christian walk. Even if we count
ourselves among Jesus' followers, the voice of God still calls us forward.
Heard any voices lately?
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