Day 3: Matthew 3

Jesus is God's Beloved Son, heralded by 'Elijah'

John now appears on the scene. He dresses like Elijah and brings a message of judgement and salvation. Elijah was to come before the dreadful day of the Lord. The day of the Lord is approaching. He is the voice calling in the wilderness, but the road from the Old Testament passage is the road back from Exile which God will make for them, another clue that this is what Matthew has in mind.

Jesus' identity is made even clearer as he is baptised to 'fulfil all righteousness', fulfilment being a big theme in Matthew. God declares him to be His Beloved Son and the Holy Spirit descends on Him, the Trinity in action. Also though it reinforces Matthew's opening statement as Israel (Abraham's descendants) are called God's son (see yesterday) and so is David's son (2 Samuel 7).