GROW STUDY Life of Jesus The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus
Pictures and maps are by Dr. Terry Hulbert and used with permission. Scriptures are from the New International Version and the New American Standard Version. Historical background from Alfred Edersheim.
24 The Wilderness of Judea Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matt 3:1,2). 44
John the Baptist s Ministry Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. 24, 25 John appeared out of nowhere in the same manner Elijah had long ago and he was dressed in prophet s garb. The Davidic Kingdom was in such a low state of disarray that any announcement that the Kingdom had come would cause a stir. The Jews viewed themselves as in the Kingdom of God because of their relationship to Abraham and all Gentiles were considered outside of God s Kingdom. All Gentiles: dogs ALL Israel All Gentiles: dogs
Edersheim p. 188: No principle was more fully established in the popular conviction than that all Israel had part in the world to come, and this, specifically, because of their connection with Abraham. Abraham was represented as sitting at the gate of Gehenna, to deliver any Israelite who otherwise might have been consigned to its terrors. In fact, by their descent from Abraham, all the children of Israel were nobles, infinitely higher than any proselytes. Never before had it been proposed that Israel should undergo a baptism of repentance. By coming to be baptized, they were admitting they were as unclean as Gentiles and strangers to God s kingdom. There was ONE WAY to prepare for entry into this Holy Kingdom for the Jew and for the Gentile: to be cleansed, as demonstrated in the waters of the Jordan, as Namaan, the leper, had illustrated over 800 years earlier. (note: this isn t the same as believer s baptism)
Matthew 3:7-12 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father, for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.
25 John the Baptist s Message "You are sinners and are not ready for Christ's Kingdom." "Repent * of your sins and your dependence on your Abrahamic heritage and religious rituals." "Produce evidence of a real change of heart." "Submit to baptism" (as though a Gentile converting to Judaism) to demonstrate your changed citizenship. (Matt 3:7-12; Mark 1:7-8; Luke 3:7-18) * Repent Gk. metanoeo = change of mind, (not penance )
The eastern part of the Roman road from Jerusalem where it emerges from Wadi Qilt near Jericho
E 29 Mt. Nebo Lower Jordan Valley PEREA Bethany Beyond Jordan Dead Sea SAMARIA Jericho Wadi Qelt Judean Wilderness Priests, Levites and Pharisees descend from Jerusalem to investigate John the Baptist. Jerusalem JUDEA
29 Priests and Levites investigate! All Jerusalem was going out! (News of John s preaching and baptizing had reached Jerusalem.) The kingdom is here! (Had Messiah appeared down there at the Jordan?) John is immersing Jews like converting Gentiles! Is he cleansing people in the Jordan River as Elisha did with Naaman the leper? (2 Kngs 5) Excitement! Expectation!
Who knew who Jesus of Nazareth was when He came to John s baptizing? 30 Mary (Joseph had died.) Zacharias and Elizabeth? (They had died.) Simeon and Anna? (They had died.) The Magi? (They had returned to Mesopotamia.) The teachers when Jesus 12? (Not aware of His identity) Nazareth? (No known awareness of His Messiahship) He learned and worked at Joseph s trade. He was just the eldest of His brothers and sisters. He gave no indication of His supernatural person and powers. They knew Him only as a toddler and a teenager. Area people (e.g. Nathanael) appeared to be unaware of Him.
27 Jesus Baptism It made Him officially known to Israel. It was public. (John 1:34) Jesus was clean already but was willing to be identified with and thought of as a sinner. (Heb 2:16-17) The Father authenticated Jesus as His Son, confirming his deity. It was dramatic. (Matt 3:17) The Spirit descended like a dove as Jesus was praying and identified Him to John as the Messiah. It marked His empowering by the Holy Spirit for the specific Messianic ministry ahead. (John 1:32,33) It fulfilled all righteousness. (Matt 3:15)
E 28 Mt. Nebo Lower Jordan Valley Plains of Moab Bethany Beyond Jordan Dead Sea Jericho After His baptism, Jesus ascends into the wilderness of Judea to be tested by Satan. Jerusalem Judean Wilderness
What is the Wilderness? A time of God-initiated trials that brings His people to a point of neediness in order to Teach about Himself Develop trust in Him Equip one in their role in God s kingdom The Wilderness of Judea The Spirit led Him into the wilderness to be tempted.
God initiated the testing 28 Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (Matt 4:1). And immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness (Mark 1:12). And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit... was led about by the Spirit into the wilderness (Luke 4:1).
The Wilderness of Judea And after forty days and forty nights, He became hungry. 44
E 29 Mt. Nebo Lower Jordan Valley PEREA Plains of Moab Bethany Beyond Jordan Dead Sea Jesus responded to Satan s three tests by quoting scriptures from the book of Deuteronomy, spoken by Moses on the Plains of Moab across the Jordan River. SAMARIA Jericho Wadi Qelt Judean Wilderness JUDEA Jerusalem
Temptation hooks into something we want and nags at us until we give in and sin. Being grievously tempted is not the same as grievously sinning. Sin is called deceptive because It promises something it does not deliver. Only God keeps His promises.
Temptation Difficulty Action Another time Stones into bread Test #1: Food Test God isn t going to provide what I need. I must take matters into my own hands and get it myself. Deut. 8:3 Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Samaritan woman. The disciples had forgotten to bring bread. Feeding 5000.
Temptation Difficulty Action Another time Stones into bread Test #1: Food Test God isn t going to provide what I need. I must take matters into my own hands and get it myself. Deut. 8:3 Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Samaritan woman. The disciples had forgotten to bring bread. Feeding 5000. Jump from Temple Mount Recognition. You are doing something great and everyone needs to know who you are! You are being misunderstood. Deut. 6:16 Do not put the Lord your God to the test. Pharisees ask for a sign. John 7:2-4 Jesus brothers said to him, No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret.
Temptation Difficulty Action Another time Stones into bread Test #1 Food Test God isn t going to provide what I need. I must take matters into my own hands and get it myself. Deut. 8:3 Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Samaritan woman. The disciples had forgotten to bring bread. Feeding 5000. Jump from Temple Mount Recognition. You are doing something great and everyone needs to know who you are! You are being misunderstood. Deut. 6:16 Do not put the Lord your God to the test. John 7:2-4 Jesus brothers said to him, No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. All Kingdoms of the world It was promised to Him by rights Psalm 2. Didn t have to WAIT or go to the Cross and endure suffering. Deut. 6:13 Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only. Peter s rebuke. Move to make him king. Triumphal Entry. Greeks seek Him.
Temptation never finds us when we are strong, but waits for that opportunity of weakness: when we are tired, hungry, lonely, fearful, discouraged and then it can come through family or even a trusted friend. Jesus told us to pray against temptation: Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. He told His disciples to watch and pray that you enter not into temptation.
Pictures and maps are by Dr. Terry Hulbert and are used with permission. Scriptures are from the New International Version and the New American Standard Version. Historical background is also from Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah by Alfred Edersheim. Arrangement and teaching is by Leiann Walther.