Matthew 14:1-12 "Getting My Way"

Read Matthew 14:1-12.

"Prompted by her mother, she said, 'Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.'" NIV

I don't know exactly the reason this passage is in the Bible other than a historical account of what happened to John the Baptist. However, whenever I read it, I focus in more on Herodias and what I should learn from her actions.

Women instinctually have a manipulative gene in their DNA. Blame it on Eve if you want, but we can all be very good at manipulating a situation for our intended outcome. Whether manipulation in and of itself is a sin is a dicussion to be had. But suffice it to say, whether done above board or not, is it not a form of deception and selfishness?

And then there are the Herodiases of life. She's the most dispicable manipulator because she used her daughter. She sends her in to entice Herod with her sexuality and to get him to give an open-ended promise. When she asks for John the Baptist's head, he feels he is held by his oath and those who witnessed it to give her what she asked. What kind of mother expects her daughter to bring a severed head to her on a platter? (Now I will not address Herod's ethics or leadership skills; that's another discussion.)

Now, I don't know anyone that goes to this extreme, although I know there are mothers and fathers who have sold their children into prostitution to make money for the family. But for the most part, our manipulations are not as drastic but still can cause a lot of damage to our relationships with others and with our Lord. The deceitfulness that can be used to manipulate destroys our integrity with others while the selfishness of "getting our way by any means" is not a Christ-like characteristic. Christ never manipulated. He encouraged and guided, but not for His own benefit. His motivation was always for other people's good.

This is once again a moment to fight the sinful nature of selfishness and think about others' needs without succombing to the subversive attitudes and actions of manipulation. Whether in little issues or in big ones, our thoughts should be for others before ourselves.

Lord, you know my heart. I want to think of others before myself. Help me to not manipulate, but to be honest and forthright in all I do. Teach me to love better.

Further Thoughts:

1. Think through people in the Old and New Testament. Who were some of the manipulators? Compare and contrast their motivations and the outcome of their situations.
2. Read Galatians 2:20. How can this verse and the selfishness of manipulation co-exist?
3. Do you have trouble with manipulating people? Do you believe it is destructive or not? If yes, what are some steps to take to stop this habit? Who can you be accountable to who will help you stop?
4. Is there a situation that you are manipulating? Is there someone you need to apologize to for using them to get what you want?

Matthew 3:13-17 "Beginnings"

Read Matthew 3:13-17.

"And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'" NIV

This act marks the beginning of Jesus' three-year ministry. You could call it His installation ceremony, and the Almighty showed up to give His blessing. Our Lord started with symbolically being cleansed of sin, of which He had none, so He could identify with all mankind. He says to John the Baptist that this had to be done to "fulfill all righteousness." To make all right with the world; to make it possible for us to have forgiveness of our sins and our relationship with the Father to be made right again, Christ had to identify with humanity. He demonstrates for us the forgiveness of sins and the repentance with baptism. We are cleansed of our past and come up out of a watery grave a new creation. I remember that feeling of the water flowing down my head, and shoulders, and on down my back. My baptism was almost 30 years ago, but I remember it so vividly. The sounds of the room disappeared and a tremendous peace flooded my soul. In that moment I knew I had been touched by God. It took about fifteen more years for me to really become sold out for Christ, to recognize Him as my Lord; but as my husband said in his sermon this last Sunday, "You can't encounter Jesus and not be changed forever."

And when Jesus came up out of the Jordan River, the heavens opened. With the Spirit of God in the form of a dove and the voice of the Father, the trinity was united again ready to fight for His children. The Jews expected a battle and dismissed Christ as the Messiah because He did not save them from the bondage of the Romans. But Christ came and was now prepared to fight a much greater battle against a much more powerful enemy. And He did it for you and me.

I am humbled by His sacrifice and ashamed that we still side against Him by our actions and hardened hearts. Lord, forgive us....again. Fill us, Holy Spirit, with Your power; guide us in Your ways. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Further Thoughts:

1. In the Christian church, baptism is considered a "sacrament." Look up the meaning of this word.
2. Why did Christ have to be baptized?
3. How are the events at His baptism evidence of His divinity?
4. Look up the meaning of the word, "trinity." Who make up the trinity and when did they come into existence? Can you support with Scripture? (This one is hard. Let me give you some hints: Genesis 1:1-2 and John 1:1-2, Genesis 1:26, Matthew 28:19.) Why do these Scriptures support the triune God even though they don't use the word "trinity?"
5. If you have never been baptized, but have received Christ as your Savior, pray about and consider being baptized. Our salvation is not in the act, but is made public by it, and through baptism we declare our allegiance to Christ. It's an amazing experience you will never forget.

Matthew 3:4-12 "180 Degrees"

Read Matthew 3:4-12.

"Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." NIV

John the Baptist was a man on a mission -- completely devoted and unwavering. He is called the "forerunner to Christ." His message -- confess your sins and repent paving the way for the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He must have been very charismatic because even with his strange living habits, people were drawn to his message. Then the Pharisees and Sadducees (the ruling parties in the Sanhedrin, the Jewish court) had to come and see what John was all about. As soon as he sees them, John calls them to the carpet for their actions and not in a subtle way. "You brood of vipers" isn't exactly a warm greeting.

The Sadducees were tight with the political rulers and the Pharisees were legalistic. Both were missing the point of God's laws, as well as, living hypocritical lives. They may confess their sins and perform the right rituals for them, but repentance was not in their vocabulary, and John the Baptist was going to publicly expose them for who they truly were. I don't think he used the word, "viper" carelessly either. A viper is a very venomous snake whose fangs fold back against the roof of their mouth. They swing forward and lock into place when the snake opens its mouth for the kill. Pretty interesting comparison to these seemingly religious leaders who were poisoning the very beliefs they were to represent.

How many Pharisees and Sadducees are walking around today calling themselves Christians? They espouse the law and God's ways, but merely make sounds, not living out the life that produces good fruit. Basically, hypocrites -- saying one thing and doing another. The Sadducees were all about their power in the Sanhedrin (even though the common people listened to the Pharisees.) and the Pharisees were prideful in their following of the religious law. But a true surrender to God and heart change was not evident. They were in it for themselves and what it could get them, not for serving the Almighty. They had completely lost their fear of the Lord.

How many people that call themselves Christians are truly desiring to live repentant lives? Confessing your sins for forgiveness is easy. The hard part is making the 180 degree turn away from the life you used to live and demonstrating that change through your actions - whether physical or spiritual. But that is exactly what God calls us to do. Simply put -- deny self, surrender to His Lordship, live out the life He has called you to live.

And throughout, be true -- to God, to yourself, and to others. In the end the truth will come out. Christ wants to refine us by his Holy Spirit like fire refines metal. It removes the impurities and leaves only what is true. If we do not allow Him to focus our lives on Him and His ways, we will be separated out later. Like the farmer separating the wheat from the chaff, Christ will separate the true followers from the fakes.

Lord, I want to live a truly repentant life. I desire to produce fruit for Your honor and glory. Lord, help me not to be caught up in the law, but to live by faith and love through the redemptive power of Jesus Christ. I desire to be a full and fruitful tree pointing the way to You. Forgive me for the times I have failed. You are the only one to be glorified. Lead me in that truth.

Further Thoughts:

1. Research the Pharisees and the Saducees. In what ways could people today be calling themselves Christians, but living like these two groups? What would be the evidence?
2. Read John 15:1-17. Compare and contrast Jesus' words with John the Baptist's.
3. Look up the meaning of the word, "repentant."
4. How do we protect ourselves from falling into a Pharisaical lifestyle?
5. Where does true belief and change begin? Read Romans 2:17-29. (Especially note vs. 29) and read Romans 3:21-24.

Matthew 3:1-3 "Road Construction"

"In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

'A voice of one calling in the desert, "Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him."'" NIV

We'll get to John the Baptist tomorrow. Today I want to focus on this prophesy from Isaiah 40:3. I was wondering what making "straight paths for him" really means. If you look at the NIV study notes for Luke 3:4 (which is the same account), they say that when a king traveled to another country, the roads he would be traveling on were repaired and made ready. In a moral and spiritual sense, John was preparing the way for the coming Messiah through his message of forgiveness and repentance from sin.

This passage gave me a new thought about evangelism. Well, it's not new, just a way of looking at it that I don't normally do. I'm really not an evangelist. I have shared Jesus with many people and some have come to receive Him as their Savior. But my gifting is in discipleship. Someone else usually brings them to the Lord; I help grow them up. In fact, my husband is a very strong evangelist, so we make a great duo. He catches the fish; I clean 'em up so to speak.

But one aspect or should I say motivation for evangelism is that Jesus Christ is coming again. I keep forgetting this fact. Well, not forgetting, but certainly not thinking of it very often. Besides, I always remember my Sunday School stories about how Jesus will come when no one is expecting Him. So in my logical brain, if I'm thinking about His return, He can't come because I'm expecting Him. :-) I know, my husband sometimes questions my logic, too.

But in the same way that John was preparing for the Messiah's arrival on earth, we should be living our lives preparing for the Messiah's return. He is coming; we've been promised. We could even be living in the last days now. So we need to be getting the roads straight and prepared for Him. That means, people need to know Jesus. If they have not received Him when He comes, they will not be going with us "in the blinking of an eye." Now I'm not going to get into the whole pre-, mid-, and post-tribulation controversy. For me it doesn't really matter. I'm sold out to the Lord, so I plan on being ready for whatever comes. And as I understand, people will have a second chance to receive Christ, but it will be a whole lot tougher for them. I plan on taking to the skies when my Lord comes the first time. I don't want to be hanging around here any longer than I have to. I've got things to get to in heaven. Boy, the questions I have not only for Jesus, but Paul, Joseph, Esther... and so much worshipping to get in. I can't wait.

But in the meantime, we must be about our "Father's business." He is coming, and there are a ton of people that still haven't received Him. I'm sure each of us knows dozens of people right around us that need Jesus. It's so hard to watch them floundering. I want to scream, "Just let go; He will catch you." Even though they must decide for themselves, we can still keep loving them and sharing with them what Jesus has done for us. But we have to hurry. Time's running out. So grab your shovels, and let's get the road ready. The King is coming.

Further Thoughts:

1. What will happen when Christ comes again? (Read 1 Corinthians 15:51-58)
2. What are we supposed to be doing while we wait for His return? (See Matthew 28:19-20) Find other passages that tell what God expects of us.
3. Who around you still needs Jesus. Write down their names, pray for the Holy Spirit to draw them to Him, and keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to share with them the love and grace of Christ. Then be about your Father's business.