Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his immersion (baptism), he said to them, O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Why did Yochanan call them a brood of vipers? Vipers are the most deadly of snakes. A bit from a viper brings death almost immediately. The viper is a symbol of wickedness. These leaders teachings were poisoning the true message of G-d.
When G-d cursed the snake possessed by HaSatan in Genesis 3:15, he was speaking of a future time when the children of HaSatan would venomously attack HaMashiach. However, Mashiach would ultimately crush HaSatan.
Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; it will bruise your head, and you will bruise His heel.”
Yochanan had the authority to talk tough and tell them like it is. Instead of belief and repentance most reject Yeshua as the Messiah. G-d has rules. Out of hard-heartedness and unwillingness to accept His authority these men later tried to stop others from believing in Yeshua and becoming new members in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 3:8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Matthew 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Avraham as our father (cf: John 8:33): for I say to you, that G-d is able of these stones to raise up children to Avraham.
He did not have to fulfill his promise to Avraham through this generation. G-d can still raise other children from the dust like Adam for Avraham. Avraham is a father of many nations.
Having Avraham as ones father does not exclude one from this judgment.
Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid to the root of the trees: therefore every tree which brings not forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.
There is a higher level of understanding of this verse. Those that do not accept Yochanan’s message of repentance and accept that the only way to HaShem is through faith in what Yeshua did for us, will one day be cast down into Gehenna.
Matthew 3:11 I indeed Immerse (baptize) you with water to repentance: but He that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall immerse (baptize) you with Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit), and with fire:
Ruach HaKodesh indwells us the moment we ask HaShem to forgive our sins through the belief on what His Son did to cleanse us from our sin so that we are made clean inwardly. I can remember when I asked Yeshua to come into my life. It was not as dramatic as some testimonies. I was not in a desperate state. I just felt the moving of the Spirit and how it was telling me, through the words of another person, that I should ask HaShem to come into my life. I went into the bedroom and knelt down and admitted that I had not lived my life totally for Him and I had fallen short. I simply asked with a sincere heart that He would forgive me for my sins and that I trusted in the blood of His Son to take away my sin. I believed that G-d sent His Son in my place to receive the punishment I deserved. I asked Him into my heart and then said I would give my life to Him. I simply did what the Spirit was telling me what to do. Once I did this I could feel the inward change that was taking place from my decision. The seed had been planted from years passed but this day the Father was drawing me to Him through His Son and I was understanding it and hearing it like it was meant for me. It is not like I was a horrible person. I had always thought of myself as a good person. I still had what was this void in my life, which I filled with other things besides HaShem. I wanted to be forgiven and was willing to do what was required. Once filled with Ruach HaKodesh I no longer filled this emptiness with things that did not satisfy. David knew like all the Tanakh believers what it was like to have Ruach HaKodesh upon him. For he said, L-rd take not your Holy Spirit from me. (Psalms 51:11) In the Tanakh, Ruach HaKodesh did not indwell believers like it does now. The Holy Spirit was on them and an anointing was upon them.
Once we begin obeying the Father, and Moshe, and listen to what the Messiah said we come to Yeshua and we no longer have to worry about Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit) leaving us. . It did not begin until the time of Pentecost because Yeshua had to be glorified first. (John 7:39) We have the seal and promise of Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit) until complete redemption (body also). (Eph 1:13) This does not mean we will never have troubles in life or sometimes encounter suffering in this world. On the contrary, sometimes this is when the evil one will attack us. We still however have the promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us and He will carry us through it. We continue to grow spiritually and mature. His loving kindness will endure forever. We can also feel His comfort and look forward to the end of all our suffering.
Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Others are not that fortunate. Some have made a free choice to reject Him. HaShem was not going to let the fact that some of our own, even brother or sisters, did not accept Him come in the way of his loving plan for us. G-d has rules but He will not force this on those who don’t want it.
Matthew 3:13 Then came Yeshua (Jesus) from Galilee to Jordan to John, to be Immersed (baptized) by him.
Matthew 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be Immersed (baptized) by you, and you come to me?
John was a sinner. Yeshua was not.
Matt 3:15 But Yeshua (Jesus) answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.
Yeshua was baptized to identify with sinful man. He also was an example for us to follow.
Matthew 3:16-17 And Yeshua (Jesus), when he was immersed (baptized), went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of G-d descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
This is a picture of Ruach HaKodesh coming on Him. He helps us to conquer sin and show loving kindness. A unnatural love that shows love to our enemies and love to those that may persecute us or may even try to harm us. A love that says bless those that cruse you. Forgive those that have done you harm in the past. If one cannot forgive wrongs in the past neither will your wrongs be forgiven. You will receive consequences for lack of forgiveness to others. If he loved us while we where yet sinners, can’t we do the same to others. All this requires constant leading and guidance of Ruach HaKodesh in each case. Sometimes love requires telling others the truth in a loving manner when their actions are wrong. Sometimes it requires understanding instead of judging one harshly. Sometimes it requires looking for the good things in others instead of looking for the bad. Sometimes it requires patience and kindness where others are looking for wrong. I’ll depend on the mercy of the Ruach HaKodesh then the mercy of men any day. If we faithfully continue in our walk with the Messiah and follow his example which the Father commands, one day the Father will say to us also: this is my son in whom I am well pleased. Of course Yeshua also has a unique relationship that is unlike any with the Father.
These verses show us the tri-unity of G-d. The Father, speaking from Heaven, endorses Yeshua, the Son. The Ruach HaKodesh descended upon Yeshua also endorsing the beginning of His earthly ministry.