The First Witnesses Are Deposed

Matthew 3:1-18

Cousin Fergy called the other night. He was so excited he could hardly talk because he was an eyewitness.  He and Gerty were in the local convenience store when a gunman came in and demanded money.
After the robber emptied the cash register, he turned to a customer and asked, “Did you see me rob this store?”
The man replied, “Yes sir, I did.”  And so the robber shot him.
Then he turned to Fergy and asked him, “Did you see me rob this bank?”
Fergy stuttered, “No sir, I didn’t, but my wife did.”
Eyewitnesses are important especially one that’s unimpeachable and not half blind.  If a nun with 20/20 vision saw a car run a red light and hit your car and the driver claimed you were the one who ran it you’d want the nun on the witness stand. 
So it’s not surprising that Matthew introduces some eyewitnesses.  Remember he’s trying to establish that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah.  He needed the eyewitnesses because Jesus wasn’t anything like what people were expecting.

      Matthew 3:1-18.
     1 At that time John the Baptist came to the desert of Judea and started preaching.  2 “Turn away from your sins,” he said, “because the Kingdom of heaven is near!”  3 John was the man the prophet Isaiah was talking about when he said, “Someone is shouting in the desert, ‘Prepare a road for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!’” 
4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair; he wore a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.  5 People came to him from Jerusalem, from the whole province of Judea, and from all over the country near the Jordan River.  6 They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan. 
7 When John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him to be baptized, he said to them, “You snakes—who told you that you could escape from the punishment God is about to send?  8 Do those things that will show that you have turned from your sins.  9 And don’t think you can escape punishment by saying that Abraham is your ancestor. I tell you that God can take these rocks and make descendants for Abraham!  10 The ax is ready to cut down the trees at the roots; every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire. 
11 I baptize you with water to show that you have repented, but the one who will come after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. He is much greater than I am; and I am not good enough even to carry his sandals.  12 He has his winnowing shovel with him to thresh out all the grain. He will gather his wheat into his barn, but he will burn the chaff in a fire that never goes out.” 
13 At that time Jesus arrived from Galilee and came to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.  14 But John tried to make him change his mind. “I ought to be baptized by you,” John said, “and yet you have come to me!” 
15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so for now. For in this way we shall do all that God requires.” So John agreed. 
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water. Then heaven was opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and lighting on him.  17 Then a voice said from heaven, “This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased.”
 Old Testament law regulated eyewitnesses. Deuteronomy 19:15 - One witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. Matthew complied and went one better. He had four.
Since the Messiah was a religious figure, Matthew chose experts in that field just like CNN would have: John the Baptist plus the Pharisees and Sadducees. John the Baptist was kind of like the Billy Graham of his day, a maverick.  The Pharisees and Sadducees were kind of like the Presbytery – the religious big wigs, the establishment.
John had good credentials.  He was a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.  All this stuff about camel’s hair and leather said he was like Elijah – a straight up guy who tells it like it is.  He’s not beholden to anyone.  He’s out there in the dessert doing God’s work with no pay.  He can’t be bought.  He’s not in the pocket of the left or the right. He’s an unimpeachable witness.
But Matthew impugns the testimony of the other experts. The religious leaders make big claims but they’re all talk and no substance.  They’re politically correct but spiritually corrupt. They look great but they’re not trustworthy.
Having covered the bases with these obligatory witnesses, Matthew moves to the actual testimony.
John the Baptist goes first.  It’s like Matthew’s the defense attorney asking, “Who is Jesus.” John’s answer is in verses 11 and 12.  Basically he said that his own ministry was just here and now, but Jesus’ ministry would stretch to eternity. He’d work hand in hand with the Holy Spirit and at the finish line he’d judge everyone including those now judging him.  He’s the Messiah.
Jesus is the second witness.  Jesus’ genealogy showed that he was a descendent of Abraham and David but so were thousands of other men. Joseph reported an angel had identified his baby as the Messiah but maybe he was hallucinating.  The Magi worshipped the boy but maybe they were high on opium.  Some prophesies pointed to Jesus but maybe they were coincidences. So who does Jesus say Jesus is? If he’s an honest, sane, normal human being, he won’t make claims that aren’t true.
John didn’t think it was proper for him to baptize Jesus, but Jesus replied,  “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness (15).”
       Jesus intended to fulfill all righteousness – all, not one drop spilled out.  I could never say that.  Do you know of anyone, any great religious leader, anyone, ever, who could say that?  Only the Messiah could make that claim and Jesus makes it.
The third witness is the Holy Spirit who came down to Jesus.  If anyone else boasted of being 100% righteous, the only thing coming down would be lightening.  The Holy Spirit came like a dove.
The fourth witness is God who said, This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased (17).
That’s four unimpeachable witnesses.  They are cross-examined in the public square then and now.  Mathew assumes that everyone has access to that.
When to introduce an eyewitness in a trial is a strategic decision.  It’s interesting that Matthew introduces eyewitnesses here.  Why didn’t he wait till the paralytic from Capernaum could testify that Jesus had made him walk?  Why not wait till the synagogue ruler could testify that Jesus had raised his daughter from the dead?  And what about the guy from Galilee who was demon possessed, blind and mute until Jesus healed him?  None of these are on Matthew’s list. His witnesses had to testify without the benefit of Jesus having done anything – before he preached and before he did any miracles.
Why?  Matthew was looking out for people who were trying to figure out if Jesus were the Messiah.  They were hearing the cons loud and clear. Some of the most authoritative opinions were those of the educated elite who didn’t believe. Matthew wanted to make sure these witnesses were being heard and as early in the debate as possible.
Matthew doesn’t hide it.  There’s testimony he agrees with and some he doesn’t.  So he tries to get the attention of anyone who’s sifting through the data. Even though there are smart people with strong and convincing arguments, he points out that God can make smart people out of rocks.  Matthew has acknowledged that Jesus polarizes people and that his presence can produce suffering.  Now he’s saying it’s no surprise if there are sharp people who aren’t in Jesus’ camp.  He hopes people will at least listen to his side of the story.
Also, these eyewitnesses confirmed Jesus was the Messiah simply by who he is.  Have you ever been in someone’s presence and you could tell by his demeanor he was kind.  You didn’t see him do something kind, you just knew it.  Or have you ever been with someone for the first time and you felt comfortable around him or her and they didn’t do anything to make you feel that way?   
Matthew invites people to give Jesus a chance simply on the basis of who he is.  He invites people to sense the power of Jesus’ person, feel love emanating from him and see wisdom in his eyes.  He hopes people will be drawn to the absolute security of his being.  There are arguments against Jesus.  There are also lots of ordinary people who have been drawn to him already who can corroborate his identity.  That’s their mission.
What can we take from this passage?
First, don’t be intimidated by the haves.  The religious leaders bragged that they had Abraham for their father.  John wasn’t impressed.  But sometimes we are by people who have more money, or more education, or more airtime.  Use your own mind.  Hold on to your faith.  You may have it right. The high muckety-mucks may have it wrong.
  Second, I don’t know about you, but I’ve never celebrated Jesus’ baptism.  But it does show how humble Jesus is.  People who were baptized were acknowledging they had sin to confess.  Jesus had none to confess, but he didn’t stand up and announce it.  He let people think what they would.  In reality, if he took that winnowing fork and threw the wheat up in the air, we’d all be part of the chaff.  But Jesus went through with the baptism even though there was nothing in it for him personally. Jesus was a humble just do it Messiah.  You gotta love a guy like that.
Despite Jesus’ genealogy, the prophecies about his birth and what the angels said, there are going to be convincing counterarguments.  That’s what Matthew faced and so will we.  Great.  Matthew presents four powerful witnesses: John the Baptist, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God.  There are thousands more but don’t forget those four. And don’t forget you also are an important witness.

Youth Message

Summer Joy

    If you went to school, your summer vacation has begun.  Now that you’re not riding the bus and going to class, what are you going to do with the extra time?
    Those sound like fun activities.  You’ll enjoy doing all those things, but I want to suggest something that will bring you a deep joy.
    This summer starting today, I want to invite you to join a secret club called H.O.P.A.P.O.P. H.O.P.A.P.O.P. stands for Help Other People and Pray for Other People.
As a member of that club your mission has two parts.
1. Think hard about what you can do for other people and then do it everyday. 
    2. Pray for the people you’re helping every day. 
    Who are some of the people you could help every day?  What is an example of something you could do to help them?  What is an example of something you could pray for them?
    How many of you want to be part of the HOPAPOP Club?  Great to celebrate I have a membership certificate and a HOPAPOP lollipop for each of you.