John the Baptist Prepares the Way - Matthew 3:7-12.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Reflection: John sees the Pharisees and Sadducees, and he confronts their apathy and resting on their religious laurels. The Pharisees were known for their strict rule making, according to the Law, but demonstrated that they missed the larger purpose of showing mercy, and also applying the same strictness to their own lives. As Jesus remarked, they loved to tie heavy burdens on people's backs and not lift a finger to help them. The Sadducees were from the aristocratic line. They didn't believe in the supernatural, due to their skepticism and trust in their own intellect vs. God's revelation. We see today religious groups who mirror these two groups when we find legalism and extreme liberalism in the church today.
And what does Jesus have to say to these leaders? He calls them a "brood of vipers", literally snakes. Snakes were much to be feared as they were poisonous and deadly. John calls these leaders to repentance, which means to do a "u turn"! These leaders thought by their lineage and tie to Abraham, they were above the requirements of the kingdom being at hand. This reminds us God's kingdom is a great opportunity to participate in God's coming on earth as it is in heaven, but also has an element of judgment. And that judgment was for Jews and Gentiles alike. It was fair and just. God called all people to repentance like He still does today!
And what does that repentance look like? It is characterized not just by words but actions. Not pious platitudes but acts that belie one's nature as a son or daughter of God. This work was started by John's call to repentance and was completed when the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost, like a fire, burning away the chaff in people's lives. So we see the call to repent and turn from the things we know are wrong, and the supernatural presence of God's Holy Spirit that changes us from the inside out. That is why this is not about cleaning up our act, or trying to be a better person, but the work of the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sin and give us the power to turn from our sin. It is a work of God in us, but certainly requires our effort. As Dallas Willard says, "grace is opposed earning not effort!"
So while repentance starts when we hear the Gospel, turn from a life of self dependence and turn to Christ for salvation, there is an ongoing sense as well. Since we all still struggle with a sinful nature, we are daily called to die to self, repent of living for self, and trust in Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. I'm sure you have figured out by now that your own efforts to effect your own transformation are in vain. But God promised and gave us the Holy Spirit, who we depend on for our sanctication. See Galatians 6.
Where is God calling you to produce fruit in keeping with repentance? The beginning of a new year is a great time to re-calibrate your life to get in alignment with what God wants to do through you in the power of the Holy Spirit!
11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Reflection: John sees the Pharisees and Sadducees, and he confronts their apathy and resting on their religious laurels. The Pharisees were known for their strict rule making, according to the Law, but demonstrated that they missed the larger purpose of showing mercy, and also applying the same strictness to their own lives. As Jesus remarked, they loved to tie heavy burdens on people's backs and not lift a finger to help them. The Sadducees were from the aristocratic line. They didn't believe in the supernatural, due to their skepticism and trust in their own intellect vs. God's revelation. We see today religious groups who mirror these two groups when we find legalism and extreme liberalism in the church today.
And what does Jesus have to say to these leaders? He calls them a "brood of vipers", literally snakes. Snakes were much to be feared as they were poisonous and deadly. John calls these leaders to repentance, which means to do a "u turn"! These leaders thought by their lineage and tie to Abraham, they were above the requirements of the kingdom being at hand. This reminds us God's kingdom is a great opportunity to participate in God's coming on earth as it is in heaven, but also has an element of judgment. And that judgment was for Jews and Gentiles alike. It was fair and just. God called all people to repentance like He still does today!
And what does that repentance look like? It is characterized not just by words but actions. Not pious platitudes but acts that belie one's nature as a son or daughter of God. This work was started by John's call to repentance and was completed when the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost, like a fire, burning away the chaff in people's lives. So we see the call to repent and turn from the things we know are wrong, and the supernatural presence of God's Holy Spirit that changes us from the inside out. That is why this is not about cleaning up our act, or trying to be a better person, but the work of the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sin and give us the power to turn from our sin. It is a work of God in us, but certainly requires our effort. As Dallas Willard says, "grace is opposed earning not effort!"
So while repentance starts when we hear the Gospel, turn from a life of self dependence and turn to Christ for salvation, there is an ongoing sense as well. Since we all still struggle with a sinful nature, we are daily called to die to self, repent of living for self, and trust in Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. I'm sure you have figured out by now that your own efforts to effect your own transformation are in vain. But God promised and gave us the Holy Spirit, who we depend on for our sanctication. See Galatians 6.
Where is God calling you to produce fruit in keeping with repentance? The beginning of a new year is a great time to re-calibrate your life to get in alignment with what God wants to do through you in the power of the Holy Spirit!
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