QT 03/02/2026 Tue. Matthew 3. Truth That Dissects. Testimonies That Connect. 剖析的真理，联结的见证
QT 03/02/2026 Tue. Matthew 3. Truth That Dissects. Testimonies That Connect.
READ http://www.esv.org/matthew3
Do your words spoken throughout a day dissect or connect, or both?
Matthew 3 brings us face-to-face with a tension we often try to soften: God’s truth cuts before it heals; it exposes before it restores. In this chapter, we see both edges clearly. John the Baptist speaks truth that dissects, while the Father bears testimony that connects. Together, they reveal the full work of God—truth that separates the false from the true, and grace that draws the faithful into relationship.
(1) Truth That Dissects: John’s Preaching (Matthew 3:1–10)
John the Baptist does not mince words. His message is sharp, confrontational, and unsettling:
“You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Matthew 3:7, ESV)
John’s preaching dissects. He draws clear lines:
(a) Vipers or children of Abraham?
(b) Empty religious identity or genuine repentance?
(c) Trees bearing fruit or trees destined for the fire?
John dismantles false security. Heritage, religious proximity, and outward association with God’s people are not enough. Truth cuts through appearances and exposes the heart. Blessing and wrath are set side by side—not to confuse, but to clarify. This kind of truth is uncomfortable, but necessary. Without it, repentance becomes optional and grace becomes cheap.
(2) Truth That Dissects: Jesus’ Ministry Foretold (Matthew 3:11–12)
John points beyond himself to One greater:
“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11, ESV)
The image is unmistakable. Jesus’ ministry will be like a winnowing fork—separating wheat from chaff. In today’s world where the world “inclusiveness” is branded about like a panacea that would heal much problems in society, His presence will not merely attract crowds; it will reveal hearts.
Some will follow in faith, others only for spectacle, novelty, or convenience. Indeed, instead of being “included”, others would “exclude” themselves from being associated with Jesus’ ministry outcomes.
Jesus does not blend belief and unbelief into one indistinguishable mass. His life, teaching, death, and resurrection will differentiate true disciples from curious onlookers. Truth, when embodied in Christ, always dissects.
(3) Testimony That Connects: The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13–17)
After the cutting words of judgment comes a moment of breathtaking connection. As Jesus is baptized: (a) The heavens are opened (b) The Spirit descends like a dove (c) The Father speaks
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17, ESV)
Here, testimony replaces confrontation. God’s voice connects Jesus unmistakably to the Creator of the universe. This is not exposure but affirmation, not separation but union. The Father publicly declares love, pleasure, and identity.
This testimony does not negate the truth that dissects—it completes it. The same God who separates wheat from chaff also draws near in love. The same truth that exposes sin also establishes sonship.
Application: Dissecting or Connecting?
Matthew 3 leaves us with serious questions for self-reflection:
(1) Our lives, words, and ministries—do they reflect both realities?
(2) Do we speak truth clearly enough to confront sin and false security?
(3) Do we bear testimony that points people toward God’s grace and delight?
(4) Are our activities merely attention-grabbing, or do they lead to genuine repentance and relationship?
Conclusion:
Truth without testimony wounds. Testimony without truth deceives. God calls His people to embody both. Matthew 3 reminds us that God’s work is never shallow. His truth dissects what is false; His testimony connects us to what is eternal. In Christ, we encounter both the fire that refines and the voice that affirms.
Truth that dissects. Testimonies that connect. May our lives faithfully display both.
Prayer
Father, give us courage to speak truth that exposes what is false, and grace to testify to Your love that draws people near. Shape our hearts, our words, and our actions so that they reflect both Your holiness and Your mercy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
QT 03/02/2026 星期二. 马太福音3 剖析的真理，联结的见证
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/mat/3/
你一日所言，是剖析还是联结，抑或兼具？
马太福音第三章直面我们常试图淡化的一种张力：神的真理先刺痛再医治，先揭露再重建。本章清晰展现了真理的双刃特性——施洗约翰宣告剖析的真理，天父则作联结的见证。二者共同显明神的完整作为：真理将虚假与真实分开，恩典将信徒带入亲密关系。
(1) 分辨的真理：施洗约翰的宣讲（马太福音3:1-10）
施洗约翰毫不含糊。他的信息尖锐、直面冲突且令人不安：
“毒蛇所生的啊，谁指示你们逃避那将要来的忿怒呢？”（马太福音3:7，ESV）
约翰的讲道如同解剖刀，划出清晰界限：
(a) 毒蛇之子还是亚伯拉罕的子孙？
(b) 空洞的宗教身份还是真实的悔改？
(c) 结果子的树还是该丢在火里的树？
约翰拆解虚假的安全感。血统、宗教亲近感、与神子民的外在关联都不足够。真理穿透表象，直指人心。祝福与忿怒并列——非为迷惑，乃为澄清。这真理令人不安，却不可或缺。若无此真理，悔改便成可有可无，恩典便流于廉价。
(2) 剖析真理：耶稣事工的预言（马太福音3:11-12）
约翰指向比自己更伟大的那位：
“他要用圣灵与火给你们施洗。”（马太福音3:11）
这意象清晰无误。耶稣的事工将如簸箕——将麦子与糠秕分开。在当今世界， “包容性” 一词被奉为包治百病的灵丹妙药，宣称能解决社会诸多问题。但祂的降临不仅会吸引人群，更将显明人心。
有人凭信心跟随，有人只为看热闹、图新鲜或图方便。事实上，有些人并非被 “包容” ，而是主动 “排斥” 自己，不愿与耶稣事工的果效有任何关联。
耶稣不会将信与不信混为一谈。祂的生命、教导、死亡与复活，将真正门徒与好奇围观者分明区分。真理在基督里彰显时，总会带来剖析。
(3) 联结的见证：耶稣的受洗（马太福音3:13-17）
审判的锋芒过后，是令人屏息的联结时刻。当耶稣受洗时：(a) 天开了 (b) 圣灵如鸽子降下 (c) 天父发声
“这是我的爱子，我所喜悦的。” （马太福音3:17）
此刻，见证取代了对峙。天父的声音将耶稣与宇宙创造者紧密联结。这不是揭露而是印证，不是分离而是合一。父神当众宣告了爱、喜悦与身份认同。
这见证并非否定剖析真理的本质，而是将其完善。那位将麦子与糠秕分开的上帝，同样以慈爱亲近世人。揭露罪恶的真理，亦确立了儿女的名分。
应用：剖析还是联结？
马太福音第三章留给我们深刻的自省：
(1) 我们的生命、言语与事工——是否同时映照这两重现实？
(2) 我们是否清晰宣告真理，直面罪恶与虚假的安全感？
(3) 我们所作的见证是否引导人归向上帝的恩典与喜悦？
(4) 我们的活动是否仅为博取关注，抑或引领人进入真实的悔改与关系？
结论：
没有见证的真理会伤人，没有真理的见证会欺人。神呼召祂的子民活出二者。马太福音第三章提醒我们：神的作为绝不肤浅。祂的真理剖析虚假，祂的见证连接永恒。在基督里，我们既遇见炼净的烈火，也听见肯定的呼声。
真理剖析，见证联结。愿我们生命忠实彰显二者。
祷告
天父，求赐我们勇气宣告真理以揭露虚假，赐恩典见证祢的慈爱以吸引人亲近。求祢塑造我们的心、我们的言语、我们的行为，使它们既反映祢的圣洁，也彰显祢的怜悯。奉耶稣的名求，阿们。
