The King’s Messenger | Matthew 3:1-6

Scripture

• Matthew 3:1–6

About this sermon

Introduction: Jesus of Nazareth is a king. He is not just any king, He is the promised Messiah — the Lord’s anointed. The Messiah is the son of Abraham, the son of David, the Son of God, the promised one who will sit on David’s throne forever. He is the King of the Jews, He is the King of all Kings, the King of Heaven and earth, the King of the world, the everlasting King. And God testifies that Jesus of Nazareth is that king. Matthew is giving God’s testimony concerning Jesus. He testified to Jesus as King by a genealogy. He testified to Jesus as King by the record of angelic communication. He testified to Jesus as King by the record of how He was conceived and where He was born. He testified to Jesus as King by the account of Gentile dignitaries who acknowledged His kingship, bowed down to Him, and gave Him gifts. He testified to Jesus as King by the record of the jealousy and hatred of a pretend king. Of one who viewed Jesus — even as an infant — as his rival, a threat to his power. And now, He testifies to the kingship of Jesus by telling us about His herald — His messenger. This was the way of ancient kings. Before a king would arrive in a particular location, his way would be prepared. His way would be prepared physically, as the pathway he would travel would be scouted out and made ready. His way would be prepared in terms of messaging. He would have a herald who would announce his coming and prepare with whatever message the king wanted distributed. AND GOD PREPARED HIS PEOPLE FOR THE ONE WHO WOULD PREPARE THE WAY FOR HIS SON. The Scriptures did not just prepare the people of God for the Messiah. The Scriptures also foretold of a messenger who would come to prepare the way for the Messiah. Today we see that John the Baptist was that messenger. So that John’s testimony confirms that Jesus is that King. The messenger testifies to the royalty of Jesus. This morning we look at the King’s messenger under five headings. (1) The messenger’s appearance (2) The messenger’s proclamation (3) The messenger’s preparation (4) The messenger’s separation (5) The messenger’s function • THE MESSENGER’S APPEARANCE (vs.1) Matthew has now taken us to beginning portion of the ministry of Jesus. “In those days” captures an almost 30-year gap. In the days following when the Messiah’s family made Nazareth their home. Christ’s introduction — His public ministry — was preceded by a messenger. That messenger was John. John the Baptist. John the baptizer. IT IS AS THOUGH HE CAME OUT OF NOWHERE, SO FAR AS MATTHEW’S ACCOUNT PRESENTS HIM. To say that he came, is to note a sort of suddenness to it. This is when he EMERGED. He made his appearance. HE WAS SENT BY GOD. ESV John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. His presence and his message were so striking that people knew that he represented something unique. So much so, that he had to deny suspicions that he might be the Messiah. ESV John 1:19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." 21 And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No." 22 So they said to him, "Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" 23 He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said." 24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, "Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" 26 John answered them, "I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. HE WAS CONCEIVED IN A WAY THAT WAS NATURAL AND YET IN A WAY THAT WAS SUPERNATURAL.