Jesus’ Ministry BeginsJesus’ Ministry Begins

Matthew 3-7 Matthew 3-7

Wednesday, April 19, 2023Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Session 2: Jesus’ Ministry BeginsSession 2: Jesus’ Ministry Begins

1.1. St. John the Baptist prepared for the ministry of Jesus St. John the Baptist prepared for the ministry of Jesus by preaching repentance and the Kingdom of Heaven.by preaching repentance and the Kingdom of Heaven.

a. St. John the Baptist was sent by God as a forerunner of Jesus Christ to prepare the way for the Lord

b. By announcing the Kingdom of Heaven, St. John the Baptist is heralding Jesus as the new David.

c. To prepare for this kingdom, St. John the Baptist called people to repentance, turning away from their sins.

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

Session 2: Jesus’ Ministry BeginsSession 2: Jesus’ Ministry Begins

1.1. St. John the Baptist prepared for the ministry of Jesus St. John the Baptist prepared for the ministry of Jesus by preaching repentance and the Kingdom of Heaven.by preaching repentance and the Kingdom of Heaven.

d. St. John the Baptist baptized in the Jordan River, calling people to acknowledge their sins.

e. St. John the Baptist finds himself in conflict with the religious leaders of his day.

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Session 2: Jesus’ Ministry BeginsSession 2: Jesus’ Ministry Begins

2. St. John the Baptist baptizes Jesus in the Jordan River.2. St. John the Baptist baptizes Jesus in the Jordan River.

a. Because He is sinless, Jesus had no need of baptism.

b. Jesus’ baptism inaugurates His public ministry.

c. By entering the waters of baptism of St. John the Baptist, Jesus identified Himself with those whose sins He would later bear on the Cross.

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Session 2: Jesus’ Ministry BeginsSession 2: Jesus’ Ministry Begins

2. St. John the Baptist baptizes Jesus in the Jordan River.2. St. John the Baptist baptizes Jesus in the Jordan River.

d. Jesus’ baptism reflected the Trinitarian nature of God and Jesus’ submission to the plan of Father.

e. By being baptized, Jesus sanctifies the waters of the Sacrament of Baptism.

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Session 2: Jesus’ Ministry BeginsSession 2: Jesus’ Ministry Begins

3. Jesus’ ministry begins with:3. Jesus’ ministry begins with:

a. His forty days in the desert and temptations by the devil.

b. The proclamation of the Kingdom of Heaven in Galilee.

c. The call of the first disciples, Peter, Andrew, James and John.

d. The curing of sick and His growing in fame.

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Session 2: Jesus’ Ministry BeginsSession 2: Jesus’ Ministry Begins

4. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus 4. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus establishes the law of the New Covenant.establishes the law of the New Covenant.

a. Just as Moses went up Mount Sinai, Jesus proclaims His teaching from a mountain.

b. In the sermon, Jesus directs His followers to a radical reorientation of the heart toward God.

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Session 2: Jesus’ Ministry BeginsSession 2: Jesus’ Ministry Begins

c. The Beatitudes call the disciple to find happiness in the Kingdom of Heaven, not in the temporary pleasures of this life.

d. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus completes and fulfills the Law of Moses.

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4. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus 4. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus establishes the law of the New Covenant.establishes the law of the New Covenant.

Session 2: Jesus’ Ministry BeginsSession 2: Jesus’ Ministry Begins

e. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches on interior conversion and the demands of Christian life with an authority like no other teacher of the day.

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

4. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus 4. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus establishes the law of the New Covenant.establishes the law of the New Covenant.

Session 2: Jesus’ Ministry BeginsSession 2: Jesus’ Ministry Begins

5. In summary, we have seen in Matthew 3-7:5. In summary, we have seen in Matthew 3-7:

a. St. John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven.

b. Jesus is the New David, ushering in the Kingdom of Heaven.

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Session 2: Jesus’ Ministry BeginsSession 2: Jesus’ Ministry Begins

5. In summary, we have seen in Matthew 3-7:5. In summary, we have seen in Matthew 3-7:

c. Jesus begins His ministry with miracles and the forming of His closest disciples.

d. Jesus is the New Moses, fulfilling the law of Moses and bringing it to completion.

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Session 2: Jesus’ Ministry BeginsSession 2: Jesus’ Ministry Begins

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

For Discussion:For Discussion:

1. Divide into small groups. Based on the evidence in the text, answer the following questions:

a. Who is Jesus?

b. What is Jesus’ Kingdom?

2. Report your discussion to the large group.