March 26, 2023 • Sean Gasperetti • Matthew 3:13–17
Temptation: the conflict between short-term urges and long-term ideals. Short term, we can pursue self-gratification, self-security, and self-exaltation - but all of those things fall short. We cannot ultimately satisfy these things in ourselves, but we have a savior who denied what felt good for what would produce good. We have a Savior who denied his personal security to ensure we could have it eternally. We have a Savior who did not shortcut his purpose to avoid the cross, rather endured the cross so we could be freed to discover our true purpose - to glorify God and enjoy him forever.
From time to time, passionate voices who call for change rise to the surface and make an impact. In Matthew 3, we see this very quality in a man named John the Baptist. Much like Jesus Christ, who was actually his relative through their respective mother's, John's ministry ushered in an entirely new day in redemptive history. As part of this new day, John called people to start over in their lives and make some significant changes.
God has a purpose and plan; he's had one from the very beginning. Sometimes it's hard for us to see when we look at a situation head on, but if we're able to take a moment, sit, and inspect it from a different angle, we might just be able to see his handiwork. Matthew reminds us of this as he tells the story of Jesus' birth and how his life so beautifully fulfills the many prophecies made of a Savior hundreds of years before Jesus was ever born. In doing so, Matthew provides a glimmer of hope as he shows us a new angle on an old story...but the story was only just beginning.
