John the Baptist was born just a little before the Lord Jesus. He was given a special and wonderful mission by God to announce the coming of the Messiah (the Lord Jesus Christ) to the people of God. The first words of his message were, “Repent ye.” When Jesus began to preach, do you know what the first word of His preaching was? We will see in chapter 4.
Those who believed his message showed that they were ready to receive their king by being baptized and confessing their sins. John warns some of the religious leaders, “Bring forth ... fruits meet for repentance.” The fruit of a changed life gives evidence that there has been repentance.
Even the Lord Jesus came to be baptized. John the Baptist did not want to baptize the Lord, for he knew and believed that He was the Messiah. But he obeyed. Jesus was taking His humble place among those who believed and submitted to the baptism of repentance. After the Lord Jesus was baptized, the Spirit of God like a dove lighted on Him, and a voice from heaven proclaimed Him as “My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Finally, after observing the sinful lives of men for over 4000 years, God could look down on One whose every thought and action was a pleasure to Him.
1. Who was sent ahead of Jesus to announce that Jesus the King was about to come? __________ Matthew 3:___
2. The first words of his message were, “__________.” Matthew 3:___
3. People showed they were ready by being baptized and by confessing their __________. Matthew 3:___
4. Some were warned to show their repentance was genuine by showing the __________ of a changed life. Matthew 3:___
5. When God saw His Son, a perfect man, He was so happy that He opened heaven and said, “My beloved Son, in whom __________.” Matthew 3:___