How does Matthew 3:5 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? Crowds at the Jordan: The Initial Gathering • Matthew 3:5 records, “At that time Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan went out to him.” • John the Baptist’s ministry pulls Israel to one place—the wilderness by the Jordan. • The people’s coming signals a Spirit-prompted hunger for repentance and cleansing just before Jesus begins His public work (cf. Isaiah 40:3). From Coming to Going: A Shift in Movement • In Matthew 3:5, the lost come to the messenger. • In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus reverses the direction: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” • The same God who drew Israel to the Jordan now sends redeemed Israel to the nations (Acts 1:8). Baptism: Continuity and Fulfillment • John’s baptism: a preparatory, repentance-focused washing that anticipated the Messiah (Matthew 3:11). • Great Commission baptism: administered “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” sealing disciples into full New-Covenant fellowship (Romans 6:3-4). • What began as a symbol of turning to God becomes an ordinance that unites believers with the crucified and risen Christ. Repentance and Obedience: Same Core Message • John preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2). • Jesus commands, “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). • Repentance leads to obedient living; baptism publicly marks that change in both passages. God’s Expanding Reach: From Judea to the Nations • Matthew 3:5 lists Jerusalem, Judea, and the region around the Jordan—Israel’s heartland. • The Great Commission widens the scope to “all nations,” echoing God’s ancient promise to bless every family of earth through Abraham’s seed (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:8). • The progression: local crowds → regional Israel → global harvest, fulfilling Isaiah 49:6 (“a light for the nations”). Practical Takeaways for Today’s Disciple • Recognize that the hunger seen in Matthew 3:5 still exists; people are drawn to authentic calls for repentance and hope. • Embrace the outward thrust of Matthew 28:19-20—don’t wait for seekers to come; obediently go. • Uphold baptism as a joyful, public declaration of allegiance to the Triune God. • Teach and model ongoing obedience, remembering Christ’s promise: “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” |
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