JOHN'S BAD NEWS (40 OF 52)
Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12
This content is part of a series.
John's Bad News (40 of 52)
Series: Discipleship Part Three
Christopher B. Harbin
Matthew 3:1-12
There is good news, and there is bad news. At least, that is how we tend to characterize it. We take information and classify it as to whether or not we like it, whether it is convenient, or whether it is to our benefit. We also spin information in different ways to stress its more positive or negative aspects. At heart, however, news and information are simply data. What we do with it, how we process it, how we respond to it is a choice. When we look at the arrival of God in our lives, how do we choose to categorize it? That may depend a lot on what we think of God's character.
Matthew begins his gospel with the appearance of John the Baptist. At least, he introduces us to John before we hear anything about Jesus as an adult beginning his ministry. John the Baptist is our introduction to Matthew's good news, his transition from Jesus' infancy and ministry. The problem is that John's message sounds like anything but good news. It is a warning cry. It is a clarion call to face something dangerous, dreadful, and dire. John's message urges fervent repentance. It pushes us to turn our lives around. It demands we shift gears to prepare ourselves for what God was doing, in light of heaven's reign coming near.
John was concerned for his people. John wanted them to turn their lives around that they might prepare themselves, the nation, the land to receive the long-awaited Messianic reign of God. This was a well-developed theme in Judaism that still alive today. It is consistent with declarations by many Jews that the coming of Messiah is dependent upon our hard work to prepare a fitting context worthy of God's blessing. While it is at odds with who Jesus was and how Jesus presented God's reign, it is still how many today still respond.
Some Jewish traditions still seek to bring Messiah about by rigidly following prescribed rules of Sabbath observance, dietary co ...
Series: Discipleship Part Three
Christopher B. Harbin
Matthew 3:1-12
There is good news, and there is bad news. At least, that is how we tend to characterize it. We take information and classify it as to whether or not we like it, whether it is convenient, or whether it is to our benefit. We also spin information in different ways to stress its more positive or negative aspects. At heart, however, news and information are simply data. What we do with it, how we process it, how we respond to it is a choice. When we look at the arrival of God in our lives, how do we choose to categorize it? That may depend a lot on what we think of God's character.
Matthew begins his gospel with the appearance of John the Baptist. At least, he introduces us to John before we hear anything about Jesus as an adult beginning his ministry. John the Baptist is our introduction to Matthew's good news, his transition from Jesus' infancy and ministry. The problem is that John's message sounds like anything but good news. It is a warning cry. It is a clarion call to face something dangerous, dreadful, and dire. John's message urges fervent repentance. It pushes us to turn our lives around. It demands we shift gears to prepare ourselves for what God was doing, in light of heaven's reign coming near.
John was concerned for his people. John wanted them to turn their lives around that they might prepare themselves, the nation, the land to receive the long-awaited Messianic reign of God. This was a well-developed theme in Judaism that still alive today. It is consistent with declarations by many Jews that the coming of Messiah is dependent upon our hard work to prepare a fitting context worthy of God's blessing. While it is at odds with who Jesus was and how Jesus presented God's reign, it is still how many today still respond.
Some Jewish traditions still seek to bring Messiah about by rigidly following prescribed rules of Sabbath observance, dietary co ...
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