1119 MATTHEW 4 :10 John the Baptist | Restoration Profile MATTHEW 3:1-17; 11:1-15; 14:1-12; MARK 1:2-11; 6:14-29; LUKE 1:5-25,39-80; 7:18-35; 9:7-9 After telling about Jesus’s unique background and birth, Matthew introduced John the Baptist into his Gospel full-grown and thundering repentance. Mark actually began his Gospel with John the Baptist’s ministry as the messenger of the Messiah. Luke took the time to tell us about John’s mirac- ulous birth to aged parents and his eagerness, even in the womb, to announce the coming Savior. The purpose of John’s life also set him on a collision course with religious and political powers unwilling to accept his announcement. Luke summarized John’s adolescence in a phrase: “The child grew up and became spiritually strong, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel” (Lk 1:80). Few of us understand God’s call on our lives as John did, and yet he shared the same need for resto- ration and assurance we all have. Two moments of uncertainty stand out in his life: Jesus’s baptism and his own arrest. Jesus’s request for baptism jolted John’s worldview. Why would the Lamb of God submit to a symbol of repentance unless he who was sinless was identifying with sinners he came to save? And from prison John wondered why Jesus wasn’t fulfilling the expected political role that had been shaped for the Messiah? Jesus’s word of restoration to John pointed the baptizer to think again about what God’s Word really said about the Savior (Mt 11:4-6). The Messiah John had announced was doing exactly what God had promised. The heart of restoration is found in God’s Son and God’s Word. Discouragement and doubt dissi- pate if we continue to seek first the life God has given us. Sometimes we have to be reminded to get back on track. is in his hand, and he will clear his thresh ing he was hun gry. 3 ­Then the tempt er ap proached floor and gath er his wheat into the barn. But the him and said, “ If you are the Son of God, tell chaff he will burn with fire that nev er goes out.” these stones to be come bread.” 4 ­He an swered, “ It is writ ten: Man must not THE BAPTISM OF JESUS live on bread alone but on ev ery word that 13 ­Then Jesus came from Gal i lee to John at the comes from the mouth of God.” B Jor dan, to be bap tized by him. 14 ­But John tried 5 ­Then the dev il took him to the holy city, to stop him, say ing, “ I need to be bap tized by had him stand on the pinnacle of the tem ple, you, and yet you come to me? ” 6 ­and said to him, “ If you are the Son of God, 15 ­Jesus an swered him, “Al low it for now, throw your self down. For it is writ ten: because this is the way for us to fulfill all He will give his angels orders righ teous ness.” Then John al lowed him to be concerning you, bap tized. and they will support you 16 ­When Jesus was bap tized, he went up with their hands im me di ate ly from the water. The heavens so that you will not strike sud den ly opened for him, a and he saw the your foot against a stone.” C Spir it of God de scend ing like a dove and com­ ing down on him. 17 ­And a voice from heav en 7 ­Jesus told him, “ It is also writ ten: Do not said: “ This is my be loved Son, with whom I am test the Lord your God. ” D well­pleased.” 8 ­Again, the dev il took him to a very high moun tain and showed him all the king doms THEP TEM TATION OF JESUS of the world and their splen dor. 9 ­And he said Then Jesus was led up by the Spir it into to him, “ I will give you all these things if you 4 the wil der ness to be tempt ed by the dev il. will fall down and wor ship me.” e f 2 Af ter he had fast ed for ty days and for ty nights, 10 ­Then Jesus told him, “ Go away, Sa tan! For a 3:16 Other mss omit for him b 4:4 Dt 8:3 c 4:6 Ps 91:11-12 d 4:7 Dt 6:16 e 4:9 Or and pay me homage f 4:10 Other mss read “Get behind me LRB_40_Matthew_180630-final.indd 1119 7/5/18 1:39 PM.