The Word for Today with Ray

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Baptism and Confession Matthew 3:6

Matthew shared how Joseph after being in Egypt with Mary and Jesus, “came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. Matthew continued, “In those days came John the Baptist, and saying, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leather girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan,”, and in chapter three and verse six of his book, Matthew shared how people, “were baptized him in Jordan” where we read:

And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

The verse reads, “And were baptized of him in Jordan, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and were baptized” which means “the people were immersed, submerged and washed” “of him” or “by John the Baptist” “in Jordan” or “ which means the descender and is the one river of Palestine which has its course of little more than 200 miles (300 km) from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the head of the Dead Sea.” Matthew shared how the people who were coming to John the Baptist were being “baptized” by him in the Jordan river.

The verse goes on to say, “... confessing their sins.” Matthew continued with the words, “confessing” which means “professing, acknowledging openly and joyfully” “their sins” or “the people's errors, mistakes, wrongs, offenses and violations of the divine law in thought and act”. Matthew shared how the people were not only being “baptized” by John the Baptist, but they were also “confessing” their violations to God's law. This was an awesome time of repentance by these who were coming to John the Baptist, and he was only the “fore-runner” to Jesus Christ. God desires to have a relationship with every person, and if they yield their lives to Him by “confessing their sins and being baptized” (See Acts 2:38), they shall be “saved” and live with God forever and ever.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we discover the impact John the Baptist had upon the people who surrounded him. They came from all around, and they were being convicted of their sins, confessed them and were “immersed” in water to show an outward expression of their repentance. God desires to bring all people into a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and when they are convicted of sins, repent of them and yield their lives to Him, they are promised “everlasting life”.

Next time Matthew shares John saw, “many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism” so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

People Coming to See John the Baptist Matthew 3:5

Matthew shared how Joseph after being in Egypt with Mary and Jesus, “came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. Matthew continued, “In those days came John the Baptist, and saying, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leather girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey”, and in chapter three and verse five of his book, Matthew shared, “then went out to him Jerusalem … Judea … and all the region round about Jordan” where we read:

Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan,

The verse reads, “Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, ...” Matthew began with the words, “then went out” which means “at that time departed, came forth and proceeded” “to him” which refers to “to John the Baptist” “Jerusalem” or “the people of the city whose name is set you double peace”, “and all Judea” which means “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the people within the southern portion of Palestine lying on this side of the Jordan and the Dead Sea, to distinguish it from Samaria, Galilee, Peraea, and Idumaea which means he shall be praised”. Matthew shared how people from all over the city of “Jerusalem” and “Judea” came to see John the Baptist.

The verse goes on to say, “... and all the region round about Jordan.” Matthew continued with the words, “and all the region” which means “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the neighboring country” “round about” or “surrounding” “Jordan” which means “the descender” and refers to “the one river of Palestine and has its course of little more than 200 miles (300 km), from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the head of the Dead Sea”. Matthew shared how people from all around “Jordan” were coming to see John the Baptist as well.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how people from all the surrounding area went out to see John the Baptist. God wanted people to know there was a Messiah who was coming, and He employed John the Baptist to be one who announced His appearance. The “Savior” of the world was going to be on the scene, and all who are wise shall be gathered together to hear the announcement of John the Baptist - “repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand”.

Next time Matthew shares how the people, “were baptized of him in Jordan” so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

John's Raiment and Food Matthew 3:4

Matthew shared how Joseph after being in Egypt with Mary and Jesus, “came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. Matthew continued, “In those days came John the Baptist, and saying, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight”, and in chapter three and verse four of his book, Matthew shared about John the Baptist's “raiment”, “leather girdle” and “food” where we read:

And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair,

and a leather girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

The verse reads, “And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and the same” which means “the selfsame” “John” which refers to “John the Baptist” “had his raiment” or “and John's clothing and outer cloak” “of camel's hair” which means “made of camel's hair”. Matthew shared how John the Baptist wore clothing made of “camel hair”.

The verse continues, “... and a leather girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. ” Matthew added the words, “and a leather girdle” which means “a belt made of skin serving not only to gird on flowing garments but also, since it was hollow, to carry money it” “about his loins” or “surrounding John's the place where the Hebrews thought the generative power (semen) resided ”; “and his meat” which means “and John's food and nourishment” “was locusts” or “species which especially infests oriental countries, stripping fields and trees” “and wild honey” which means “savage, uncultivated, boorish and rude bee's honey”. John the Baptist also wore a “leather belt” around his waste and his nourishment came from eating “locusts” and “wild honey”.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we discover how John the Baptist was an unusual man. He lived in the “wilderness”, dressed in “camel hair” and wore a “leather belt” and ate “locusts and wild honey” for food. Most people would not have thought him to be the “fore-runner” of the Messiah, and yet, John the Baptist was God's choice. God has a plan for the salvation of mankind, and before He sent His Son Jesus to be ”Savior and Lord”, He sent John the Baptist in an extraordinary manner to proclaim Him. May all who read these words consider the greatness of God's choice of John the Baptist to be the “fore-runner” of Jesus Christ.

Next time Matthew shares, “then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region” so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Monday, June 1, 2020

The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness Matthew 3:3

For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

The verse reads, “For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, ...” Matthew began with the word, “for” which means “because, since and on account of”, “this is he” or “this is the certain one” “that was spoken of” or “who was poured forth, uttered and declared” “by the prophet” which means “through the one who moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman and solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation” “Esias” or “Isaiah” which means “Jehovah's help” and was “a famous Hebrew prophet who prophesied in the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”. Matthew referred to another prophesy of “Isaiah the prophet”.

The verse goes on to say, “the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” Matthew continued with the words, “the voice” which means “the sound and tone of uttered words” “of one crying” or “belonging to a certain one who raised a cry of joy, pain or a strong voice” “in the wilderness” which means “within the solitary, lonely, desolate and uninhabited place which was deserted by others”, “prepare” or “ provide, make ready and fit” “the way” which means “the traveled road, journey and course of conduct” “of the Lord” which refers to “belonging to he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah”. Matthew referred to Isaiah's prophesy concerning John the Baptist as the “voice” who was “crying out” in the deserted place, and his assignment was to “prepare” the way for the Messiah Jesus.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how he referred again to an Old Testament prophesy concerning the Messiah. John the Baptist was to be the “fore-runner” of the Messiah, and he fulfilled Isaiah's prophesy given over seven hundred years earlier. God had His plan to bring “salvation” to mankind, and when He sent His Son Jesus, God previewed His coming by the “voice” of John the Baptist. Proof after proof of Jesus being the Messiah was fulfilled and shown by Matthew, and those who are wise shall not only consider these things but also yield their lives to Him as “Savior and Lord”.

Next time Matthew shares about John the Baptist's, “raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Repent: For the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand Matthew 3:2

And saying, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The verse reads, “And saying, Repent:” Matthew began with the words, “and saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “repent” or “change one's mind for better or heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins”. Matthew shared how “John the Baptist's” message was for people to “change their minds for the better”.

The verse continues, “for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew added the words, “for the kingdom” which means “because, since and on account that the royal power, kingship, dominion and rule” “of heaven” or “belonging to the region above the sidereal heavens and the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings” “is at hand” which means “is brought near, drawn close and has approached”. Matthew shared how “John the Baptist” continued his message with the reason people should “repent” - because “heaven's kingdom” had drawn near.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how the first message from John the Baptist was to “repent” or “change one's mind to the better”. The idea behind “repent” is to be going in one direction, turn around and go in the complete opposite direction. John's reason to “repent” was because God's “kingdom of heaven” was near. God wants everyone to know that His “kingdom” is open to everyone, and the entry into it is to believe in the “saving grace” of His Son Jesus Christ. “John the Baptist” heralded, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand”, and his message is just as pertinent today.

Next time we see Matthew refer to another Old Testament prophecy, “the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

John the Baptist Matthew 3:1

Matthew shared what happened when Herod the king, “saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene”, and in chapter three and verse one of his book, Matthew shared about, “John the Baptist” where we read:

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

The verse reads, “In those days came John the Baptist, ..” Matthew began with the words, “in those days” which means “moreover and in the time period” “came” or “approached, presented and made public appearance” “John” which means “Jehovah is a gracious giver and was the son of Zachariah and Elisabeth, the forerunner of Christ” “the Baptist” or “the baptizer or one who administers the rite of baptism”. Matthew shared how “John the Baptist” appeared on the scene in the time of which he shall refer.

The verse continues, “... preaching in the wilderness of Judea.” Matthew added the word, “preaching” which means “heralding, proclaiming and publishing openly” “in the wilderness” or “within the solitary, lonely, desolate and uninhabited place” “of Judea” which refers to “belonging to the southern portion of Palestine lying on this side of the Jordan and the Dead Sea, to distinguish it from Samaria, Galilee, Peraea and Idumaea”. Matthew shared how John the Baptist was in the “wilderness of Judea” to “proclaim and publish openly”.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we receive the introduction of this one named “John the Baptist” who was the “fore-runner” of Jesus Christ. Isaiah prophesied concerning “John the Baptist” as he shared how John would “cry” from the “wilderness”. God's design was to have “John the Baptist” prepare the path for His Messiah Son Jesus, and because John obeyed God's direction, Jesus followed him as the “Savior” of the world.

Next time we see John the Baptist's message, “repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.