Matthew 3

S - Matthew 3
C - What has happened so far in the narrative? Have there been any major events, characters, or themes?
John the Baptist! Jesus.
What has happened just prior to the section you are reading?

O - What did you learn about the main characters in this section?

John: preaching in the desert, v3 "...spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:..."

How does the author describe them?

v4 "John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey." A bloke who's rough around the edges, gives impression of living in the wilderness, not of high social position in society.

How do they describe themselves?

v14 - But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" John fears God, and is humble.

Through his speech, has strong faith in God (v9).

Is time or place significant in the events that happen in this passage?
Desert of Judea

Is there conflict or high point in this passage?

Conflict - v7 "but when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?"

v16-17

Do you think there is a main point or theme in this section of the story?

v6 "Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River".

v11 " I baptize you with water for repentance...He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."

v15 "...Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness."...

v16-17 " As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

What surprises are there?

John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus. He seemed to know that Jesus was coming and who he was.

Jesus being baptized by John

M - Are there any 'editorial' comments from the author about the events in the narrative? How do these comments illuminate what is happening? Does someone in the narrative learn something or grow in some way? How? What does this person learn?

What does this passage reveal about who Jesus is, and what he came into the world to do?

Son of God, come to fulfill the task God sent him to do - to die for our sins and be raised on the 3rd day.

How could you sum up the meaning of this passage in your own words?

The significance and context of Jesus' baptism.

A - How does this passage challenge your understanding about who God is and what he is like?

Is there some attitude or behaviour you need to change?

What does this passage teach you about being a disciple of Jesus?

Being fully obedient to God's word. Jesus sets a perfect human example for us. We should do everything to be like him. Being baptised is one.

P - That I will keep strong in the faith, prepare the way for Jesus' second coming and not to doubt about getting baptised - the reasons to do so are clear enough.

Thanks for great parents - dad looking after me.

Thanks for great friends, especially from youth.

Pray for energy to keep going...uni study is a black hole for the energy :/