The Notes are Good

06.2 BSF Matthew, Week 6, Day 2

My Daily Journal:

In our discussion this week about moral law, ceremonial law and prophecies foretold I did some digging into the old testament prophecies and found these two great resources:

The first is a side by side list of over 350 old testament prophecies and the corresponding new testament references demonstrating Christ’s fulfillment: 351 Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus Christ

The second is a “school house rock” style video that demonstrates the probability of any of this just being “chance.”

In particular, today, I was struck by the question about the bible becoming living to me. When I mechanically do my study, I get the mechanics of the scriptures. I see the words. I see the do’s and don’ts and the blessings and the warnings. But that is all I see. However, when I pray first and really put my mind and spirit in a time of openness to God’s revelation, I experience God’s word in such a deeper way. For example, in Sunday School recently we discussed Isaac and the blessings to Jacob and Esau (Genesis 26). Through that study I was struck by the fact that Isaac didn’t just “take back” the blessing that Jacob received and it made me realize none of us can ever truly “take back” words that we speak. They carry forward with a life of their own. We can try to explain them, soften them, translate them, but once spoken we can’t unspeak them. Then, tie that Old Testament lesson to the New Testament lesson this week about knowing the old testament teachings and speaking the truth always.

It brought to mind a good steak. The old testament is the breed of the animal, the feed that went into it, the aging process, the marinade used, the perfect temperature of the flame, the hand of the experienced chef. Sure, with out any of that, the steak (new testament) could still be nourishment and something for me to chew on. But without the old testament I lose the flavor and the full experience that God intended.

My Answers:

3.
a.
Respect and honor. He did not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. They are to be practiced and taught.

b.
Through BSF and Sunday School teaching, my love of the old testament has grown in the past few years. I have too often viewed it as out-dated and difficult – as a rule book that doesn’t apply now.

c.
Begin with prayer. Ask for Jesus’ help through the Holy Spirit to open my eyes and heart to how these ancient words point to Jesus and how they apply to my life today.

d.
Study of Isaac’s blessing of Jacob and Esau – I am too casual with words, treating them like something I can take back or erase, but that isn’t the case. Once words are spoken they take on a life of their own and carry weight.

4.
a.
Heb 9:27 die once and then face judgment. Ephesians 2:9 Not by works, so that no one can boast. Luke 18:18-27 “you know the commandments…” and “then come follow me.”

b.
Heb 8:7-13 (quoting Jeremiah 31) Jesus is the new covenant, the old is obsolete. For Christ is the end of the law, that everyone who has faith may be justified” (Rom 10:4), Mark 12: 28-34 – Love God and Neighbor more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices

c.
In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Hebrews 1:1-2)
“Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me” (Psalm 40:7).
“The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10).
“…all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me” (Jesus Christ, Luke 24:44)

05.5 BSF Matthew Week 5, Day 5

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

These 4 verses could be an entire lesson on their own. They have been the topic of many a sermon and we could go in lots of directions in discussing them.

We take them for granted today. Salt is so plentiful we use it by the truckload on our streets. Light is as easy as flipping a switch. But that has not always been the case. Salt was so difficult to mine and so important for food preservation that wars have been fought over it and soldiers were paid with it (our word salary comes from the word salt). Light was fire which required fuel.

But one of the critical elements is salt and light are simple concepts. This is direction for the common man. This is accessible to all of us. This isn’t a breast plate of jewels, an ephod or tassles. This is salt and light. This is stuff everyone uses every day.

And that is part of the message. This is for every day, not just days of special events or festivals. This is a daily walk, a daily meal, a daily task.

But it is also not only for us. In my lesson, I am using the illustration of a lighthouse. Picture you are a lighthouse operator. Shining your light attracts bugs (persecution) and it takes energy and effort to keep it burning. It is tempting to give it a rest – to turn it off every now and then. But you have no idea what ships at sea are seeing your light and navigating their path through your light. In the same way, we often don’t see or even know how our reflection of the gospel in our lives is influencing others. So, which day is the critical day to shine your light? Every single day!

If we are salt – how can we be salt in the world? How do we get out of the salt shaker? The important thing to keep in mind is that we are not called to do this on our own. We are just salt. But Christ is the Master Chef. It is by putting ourselves in His hands that we are used to perfection as a flavoring to the world. Not too much, not too little, just perfectly. It is by being at His command and use that we preserve and purify. When He reaches for the salt, we should be at hand and ready. We should be pure and not diluted. When He calls your name the correct response is “here I am.”

My Answers:

9.
a.
As a preservative, payment, purifier and flavor enhancer

b.
By staying pure and true to God’s calling. By not becoming diluted, but showing the good news of the gospel message in words and acts.

c.
Work with children through church in teaching about new bibles, Sunday School, passover/Easter teaching with kids, BSF

d.
It is the difference between being on the bench and being in the game. It is the difference of sitting in the dark and being in the hands of the master cook.

10.
a.
Light is life, it overcomes darkness, it lights a path, it is a warning, it shows the way home, it warms and comforts, it provides a necessary element to work

b.
Protecting eyes. Allowing light that is in us to shine to others (not hidden)

11.
transformation through submission. We are reshaped/remade into

12.
a.
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven

b.
To show me how I’m hiding the light He has given me and giving me the opportunity and courage to let it shine.

05.4 BSF Matthew Week 5, Day 4

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

I am a firm believer in the art of management by catching people doing things right. I believe that recognizes and rewarding the positives is far more valuable than a constant focus of the opposite.

A few years ago I was a children’s leader for level 2 which would be 3rd and 4th graders. I had brought stickers and while my co-leader was given the lecture/lesson I was wondering through the children. As I saw kid’s focused and paying attention I very quietly leaned over and gave them a sticker for their nametag and a quick “thank you for paying such great attention.”

I was doing this and one little guy noticed and immediately stopped shuffling around and started paying attention to my co-leader. After a few moments I gave him a sticker. Almost immediately after which he went back to being distracted and a bit of a distraction to others. Instead of addressing him, I continued what I was doing and soon gave a young lady sitting next to him a second sticker with another thank you because she was continuing to stay focused. The little boy immediately snapped his face up and me and said, “wait… we can get more than one?”

I think we often approach the rewards of God the same way. We are saved and confident of our place in heaven so we can go back to the distractions of this world. But God’s rewards are infinite and not limited to “just one.”

Do you think you will receive God’s reward should not be a yes/no question. How much treasure do you want to store up in heaven to be able to lay at the feet of the One who gave it all to you? How trusted do you want to be? How much do you want to stand in fellowship with the saints and prophets?

My Answers:

7.
5:12 Rejoice & be glad heaven reward same as prophets

6:3 Do not seek return on acts from men, lose heavenly reward

6:22 Hatred of men, exclusion & insult, rewarded in heaven b/c doing right

19:11 Trustworthy in little things, rewarded with great things

3:8 according to own labor

3:23 according to dilligence

10:35 Confident in heavenly reward

11:6 Faith alone is pleasing to God

8.
a.
bsf matthew week 5, bsf matthew lesson 5, bsf study 5, beatitudes study, beatitudes bible study, what do the beatitudes mean, what are the beatitude, what is a beatitude, thenotesaregood, the notes are good, bsf questions and answers, bsf questions, bsf answers, what does blessed mean, what does it mean to be blessed

b.
This isn’t a black/white, on/off. I am trustworthy, but could be more trustworthy, I’m confident, but could be moreso, I have faith and every day that I read and pray and spend time with God, it grows

05.3 BSF Matthew Week 5, Day 3

Today’s Scripture

My Daily Journal:

We live upside down lives in an upside down and inside out world. In so many ways our ways and thoughts are different that God’s. We think of the bible message as standing the world on its head, but it is the opposite, we are already inverted and pointed the wrong direction from birth – the good news is that God wants to right things and put us back on solid footing.

Few places is this more evident than in the beatitudes. To demonstrate this, let’s look at each of them in reverse:

Do you want to receive the kingdom of heaven? Then be poor in spirit. Don’t hoard it, spend it, pour it out, it is not a collector’s item, it is seed to be planted and tended.

You want to be comforted? Then mourn. Come along side the sick, weak, poor, suffering. Open your heart and compassion and mourn with them.

You want to inherit the earth, to be great among men? Then be meek. Serve don’t be served. Humble yourself.

Do you want to be filled? Then fast. Go hungry and thirsty for the sake of righteousness. Pass on the junk-food of this world for the amazing banquet of the Almighty.

Do you want to be shown mercy? Be merciful

Do you want to see God? Purify your heart. (Growing up we would recite Psalm 51:10-12 as part of confession prior to taking communion.)

Do you want to be called a child of God? Then seek peace (not just the absence of war as in a stalemate or negotiated truce, but actual and lasting peace). Be a peacemaker not a warrior or diplomat.

Do you really want the kingdom of heaven? Then put yourself out there in this world for righteousness sake, with the knowledge that you are going to be persecuted. Be bold. Do not be ashamed of the gospel.

But all of this was and is the opposite of our thinking. We think to receive the kingdom of heaven we need to lock ourselves away in study. Self assurance makes a good leader, not meekness. We look to avoid mourning and hunger. We believe in the survival of the strongest; show no mercy; climbing the ladder no matter who gets stepped on. Peace? A strong offense is the best defense.

In other words, our ways are not God’s ways. Our thinking is not God’s thinking. And, FYI: Ours is wrong.

My Answers:

5.
The beatitudes are upside down/opposite to man’s thinking: Is 55:19 My ways higher than your, my thoughts that yours, 1 Cor 2:13 not the words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Ghost teaches, 1 Cor 3:19 the wisdom of the world is foolishnes with God 1 Cor 1:18 the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but to us it is the power of God

6.
a.
Strong, Content, Proud, Unrighteous, Unmerciful, Stronghearted (self-sufficient), Warriors, Persecutor

b.
Meek, pure in heart, peacemaker – Gives me calling to serve and great joy in that service

05.2 BSF Matthew Week 5, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

Post Modern Man Thirsts for the Mercy of the Trinit-“P” = PMMTMPPP = Poor in Spirit, Mourn, Meek, Thirst and Hunger, Merciful, Pure in Heart, Peacemakers, Persecuted.

I loved that the description of these that BSF used was “Eight Characteristics of True Christians.” Let me contrast that with the description “situation.”

As humans we blame situations and “stuff” a lot. Stuff happens. Bad karma (cringe!). That’s life. People mourn because something bad has happened. People are meek because they lack power or strength. People go hungry because of poverty or strife.

But in this sermon, these are situations or events or s**t that happens. These are choices. The one who is poor in spirit is the one who pours out their spirit, spending it for the benefit of others. The one who mourns is the one who cares and comes along side those in trouble and need. The one who is meek is the one who willingly lays down their power and bragging rights for the opportunity to lift up others. The one who hungers and thirst for righteousness puts righteousness above even the most basic level on our human hierarchy of needs. Merciful, Pure in Heart, Peacemaker – all choices. Persecuted because of Righteousness is the choice we share with the prophets of old, to stand on the Word of God even knowing the human hardship it will bring.

This isn’t a list of “bad things happen to people but God makes everything right in the end”. This is a list of characteristics. This is a list of choices. It is Christ describing His mission and what he is calling His followers to do in kind. We don’t need to ask WWJD – here’s the playbook.

My Answers:

3.
To receive something special, a gift. To have some who looks after you and does good for you, as in a benefactor. To be able to help or care for others with a willing and joyful heart

4.
a.
Poor:
One whose own spirit is spent, depleted or who recognizes their own spirit as insufficient

Mourn:
Sad or broken hearted. To be moved by loss or grievance to the point ot pain. To recognize ones own grievances as such.

Meek:
Humble, not boasting, not proud for owns sake

Thirst/Hunger:
One who is permeated by the desire for righteousness: emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically

Merciful:
To put others before self. To seek good for others over gain for self.

Pure in Heart:Committed to God and God alone. To trust only in Him

Peacemakers:
Peace with God through reconciliation, to be ambassadors to others on His behalf and to not discriminate in that work.

Persecuted:
One who is true to righteousness to point of suffering to maintain that position

b.
Post Modern Man Thirsts for the Mercy of the Trinit-“P” = PMMTMPPP = Poor in Spirit, Mourn, Meek, Thirst and Hunger, Merciful, Pure in Heart, Peacemakers, Persecuted.

c.
They are interlinked. For me it is to hunger and thirst more for righteousness – there is so much wickedness surrounding us you begin to accept it as the way of the world instead of recognizing it as unrighteousness and offensive to God.

04.5 BSF Matthew Week 4, Day 5

Today’ Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

First, I was struck by the calling of the first apostles. Not so much in what they were called to do, but in what they were not called to become.

Jesus didn’t call them to become high priests. He didn’t call them to become the pharisees or Sadducees. He didn’t call them to become government leaders. He called to be who they were, but to be it for Him.

We forget this. We think that to serve God we must become someone else. If I am a fisherman, Jesus calls me to be a fisher for Him. If I am a laborer, I am called to labor for Him. If I am a teacher, to become a teacher for Him. Our “market place skills” are not something to diminish or discard in our following of Christ, they are simply God-given gifts to be redirected to serve Him.

Second, I was struck by the duality of Jesus message and ministry. He came with power and compassion, with retribution and love. He calls us to repentance and joy. But, in our way of looking at things, these can often seem like opposites. When we think about being repentant, we think about being sorrowful and mournful not filled with joy and celebration.

But we forget (or are in denial that) we are caught in a trap. Look at how many times and ways the word “snare” is used throughout the old testament. We have gone off the path and have been caught in the snare of sin. Jesus screams to us to cry out. Not over anguish that we have been snared, but so that He can set us free and carry us back to the path of righteousness. Jesus said repent AND be healed. Not only did He say it – He did it for all to see. The gospel is Good News!

My Answers:

8.
a.
He lived in Capernaum by Zebulun and Naphtali
A shoot came up from the stump of Jesse (the Vine – Jesus)

b.
All old testament prophecy ultimately points to the arrival of Christ. He didn’t do things to “fulfill prophecy”, more what He was doing had been prophecied

9.
a.
At once they left and followed Him

b.
I will send you out to fish for people

c.
Most of my ministry is to children. There is no earthly recognition or gain from this, no earthly profit, but it honors my God.

10.
a.
Repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near – proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, healing

b.
Same message, but he took the batton to the conclusion of the race. He not only washed, but he healed (both physically and spiritually).

c.
That the time of salvation through the Son of God, a descendant of David, the Messiah, had arrived

11.
a.
He came with retribution&power against sin and those who choose the path, AND with compassion and love. Not to destroy, but to save out of the clutch of sin. He came for a time of repentance AND joy (they go together) Judges 2:3 their gods (false idols) will become a snare to you. Ps 18:15 the snares of death confronted me, Ps 25:15 the Lord, only he will release snare (see also Acts 1:22, Ps 147:3)

b.
He is King and Lord and never sets that aside. He has full power to justly punish sin and sinners alike. And, He, through benevolance and grace chooses to lift me up to be considered not just his servant, but also His son.

04.4 BSF Matthew Week 4, Day 4

Today’ Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

Satan has no new tricks. There is no new temptation, just the same old same old that mankind has faced forever.

The first temptation Satan attempts with Jesus is for a prophet. We often think about the “turn these rocks to bread” as a temptation of hunger, but it is deeper. It is a temptation of self reliance, to take matters into your own hands. This was the temptation that snared Moses. Number 20:8-12 tells the tale of the prophet and his yielding to temptation to put reliance on the staff in his hand instead of solely on the glory of God.

The second temptation Satan attempts is one for a king. This is the temptation that snared David. David knew he was chosen by God. He knew he lived in His favor and that he could trust perfectly in God’s love and strength and backing. And, as a result, he ventured into sin. From his high place in the palace he looked down and saw the wife of Uriah. He didn’t deny God or hide from God, he took God for granted.

The third temptation Satan attempts is one for spiritual being, for an angel. This is the temptation that snared Lucifer himself and, to a certain degree, Adam and Eve. This is the temptation to be “like God.” To be the object of worship. In Satan’s case his fall came when he worshiped himself above God. He couldn’t challenge Jesus to worship Himself above God, since Jesus was God, so Satan suggested Jesus worship him.

The beauty of Jesus’ response to each of these temptations is not just that he replied solely with scripture, although that is critically important. He looked past the challenge and looked at what the outcome of the challenge would yield – something we often forget. For example, if Jesus had yielded to the first temptation, when all would be said and done, he would have had a loaf of bread. We forget this. We get so wrapped up in the challenge, the temptation itself, that we fail to look past it to the actual outcome. Jesus did not.

The potential of the first temptation was a loaf of bread. The potential of the second was to return to exactly where He already was at the highest point of the temple. The potential of the third was ridiculous, to sacrifice kingship over all creation for rule over earthly kingdoms (something He already had anyway).

If we had the same eyes in our view of temptations – to look past them – what simple strength we will have to stand up under them through the Word of God.

My Answers:

6.
a.
1. Tell these stones to become bread 2. throw yourself down for scripture says angels will lift you up and not strike your foot 3. Offered all the kingdoms of the world if he would bow down and worship Satan. Deut 8:3, Psalm 91:11-12, Deut 6:16, 13

b.
Jesus is not Moses, tempted to take matters into his own hand. Jesus is not David in mortal battle against man and pestilence. He did not come to earth to rule over mortal nations but to save them and in such to be their immortal king

c.
We are self reliant. We trust in ourselves more than God. We are in fear and call on God for protection even while we put ourselves in harms way not for His glory but for ours. We seek power and to rule

d.
The temptations I face are nothing but garden variety temptations, faced by men over and over throughout time. Nothing new, nothing that can’t be handled through the strength of the word.

7.
a.
The angels came and attended to him

b.
He sends someone with a kind word of encouragement that tells me it was noticed.

04.3 BSF Matthew Week 4, Day 3

Today’ Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

What is temptation? What is the difference between temptation and testing? Is temptation a sin? Could Jesus have yielded to temptation? Could Jesus have sinned?

Jesus was fully man. God gave man free will, the ability to make choices. Jesus had this choice as does any other man. There is no way He had less freedom than you or I. But His choice was different. His choice as a man reflected His strength as God. Temptation itself is not sin. Yielding to temptation is sin.

In examining this, it is interesting to look at how Satan tempted Jesus. He didn’t do it with a question, as he did with Eve. He did it with a challenge, an accusation. Basically, he said – “prove it.” “If you are the Son of God…” Every proof (geometry or any other mathematics, logic, science) always starts with a postulate or axiom. An axiom is a premise so evident as to be accepted as true without controversy. These are the givens. They are the things by which every other question is answered or proven. Prima facie. God is truth. God is the creator of everything. God is the axiom. God is the only plumb and square by which anything else can be measured. He is the postulate and He said, “This is My son.”

But Satan requests proof. To attempt to prove an axiom, by definition, means you remove it from being a cornerstone. Using any other measure to determine if an axiom is true means putting faith in that measure over the axiom.

And this is the heart of temptation and sin. Sin is simply the act of putting something else above God. Trusting something else as being more reliable than the Word of God. Adam and Eve did this – Eve trusted her eyes over the word of God (when she saw it was good for food and pleasing to the eye, Gen 3:6). You and I do this when we worry, doubt, rely on self, fail to confess, accept despair or simply drift away.

But Jesus did not yield to temptation. You don’t prove an axiom, it just is. And Jesus just is the I Am.

Please feel free to comment.

My Answers:

5.
a.
If you are the Son of God. v3, 6

b.
Jesus was the son of God. God Himself in voice from heaven had proclaimed it at his baptism. The father of lies sought to have him prove it. You don’t prove a postulate/axiom – it is self-evident.

c.
Matt:Don’t worry about clothing or food, God provides
Acts:Salvation is found in no one else but Jesus
Rom:The Spirit testifies we are God’s children – share in suffering
2 Cor:Hard pressed but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair
1 John:If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive and purify us
Heb:Pay the most careful attention to what we have heard so not drift away

04.2 BSF Matthew Week 4 Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

I loved the idea of the Holy Spirit as personal trainer. Faith is a muscle. Temptation and testing is nothing but dead weight. Sure, we need to be careful to not drop it on our foot, but facing and overcoming temptation is a tool to building strength when done with the right discipline and trainer.

We were told last week that the Spirit remained with Jesus. The spirit worked with and in Jesus to prepare and strengthen Him for His calling, His mission. His food was to do the will of Him who sent Him. His refuge was in the Spirit. He was training, preparing, growing stronger every hour and minute.

Part of any fighter’s training is time in the ring. A good trainer is a good ring man, with the fighter, in their head, in their corner, coaching, encouraging. The Spirit did this with Jesus. For 40 days and nights They (the Trinity) spent time alone in the wilderness in preparation. As Jesus battled the demands of his human nature and its yearnings to be fed, His spirit grew in strength and fortitude. When Satan saw Jesus at His weakest, He was strong – not in his own human strength but in the power of the word of God. Satan didn’t go in the ring with kid gloves, he went in swinging, but there are no new temptations and nothing as powerful as the Word.

The downside of this analogy is that every time I’ve thought about the Spirit of God this week, I keep picturing Mickey from the Rocky movies.

My Answers:

3.
a.
In the wilderness. Led there by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil

b.
Faith is a muscle, strengthened through proper use. Temptation is not punishment or even that we have done wrong/strayed, it is just dead weight.

4.
a.
Jesus did not add to or take from God’s word. He also trusted it whole-heartedly in full obedience to what it says

b.
D. Satan addressed Eve with a question, Jesus with an accusation
D. Eve relied on her own eyes
D. Eve yielded to temptation and sinned
S. Satan spoke
S. Satan was crafty
S. Satan desired sin

03.5 BSF Matthew: Week 3, Day 5

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

Forewarning: At the risk of sounding gross… Here is an illustration about the different baptisms of John and Jesus and a perspective on why Jesus decided to be baptized:

Imagine you have a sack or bag made out of cotton, like t-shirt material. You use this sack when “walking your dog” and you use it to pick up the dog poo. You then carry this bag with you wherever you go, and it gets more and more full every day.

As gross as this sounds to be carrying around, this is what sin is in our life. Every time we sin, we scoop a little more gross, offensive material in our bag. That was, in particular, how it was in the time of John the Baptist. Everyone had sin, everyone had a gross, stinky, porous bag of poo.

John called people to recognize they were carrying this around with them every day and to do something about it. They couldn’t get rid of it, but by confessing and being baptized they could at least clean the outside of it. By repenting they could commit to putting less new poo in the bag.

People got the message. They came from near and far. But some people (mostly the leaders) were in denial about their bag of poo. They thought that if their bag was less full than someone else’s, theirs didn’t stink. Some of them tried to dress up their bag of poo to mask or hide it. They would dress it up in pretty robes or sprinkle it with perfume. When they showed up at the river they tried to not even bring their bag of poo with them – pretending it didn’t exist. But it did. John caught a strong whiff of it and rebuked them. He called it what it was!

But here is the deal – John only had the ability to wash the outside of the bag. Then one day, along comes Jesus and an amazing thing happens.

Jesus, the one and only person ever who did not have a bag of poo (because he had no sin), chose to get in the water. Imagine what this water (where all the poo bags where being rinsed) was like. Along comes the King of Kings, perfectly clean, and he made the choice to climb in this filthy water with His subjects, the commoners and all their sin

He chose to take on our filthy rags so that he could “fulfill all righteousness) so we could become clean and enter into His Father’s Palace. This choice was huge – in many ways just as big if not bigger than being born a human, because this marks the start of His choice to His obedience to the Father’s plan of salvation. This is the start to the pain and suffering. This is the start to the path that leads to an undeserved death.

But, in so doing, Jesus is setting the stage for a new baptism. One that doesn’t just clean the outside in water, but through the blood of His sacrifice, it opened the door to the Holy Spirit to do the work in us of cleaning and purifying us inside and out, transforming us into saints, pure and clean.

“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.”
– Isaiah 1:18

Like the “wool” of the unblemished Lamb of God.

My Answers:

12.
a.
‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’

b.
The voice of God and the spirit came down as a dove and remained on him

c.
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

13.
a.
Hear the preaching of baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, Come to the river, Confess their sins, be baptized

b.
He had no sins to confess

c.
To fulfill all righteousness – to submit to the plan of God in obedience as fully human to be joined with mankind.
Ps 40:8 I desire to do your will, my God. Isaiah 11:2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him (as he came out of the waters of baptism)