This morning I felt like I should spend some time reflecting on the message of John the Baptist, which while crucial to God's plans, has generally taken lower priority in my mind and heart, which I guess is right. However, there is value in considering his words, his message for he was the fore-runner to Christ Jesus.
I find it interesting that God, when He works, almost always prepares the way prophetically, as well as through personal interactions. I am encouraged that He doesn't just show up, but He prepares people's hearts and minds and in this way extends mercy to those He intends to visit.
Here are the verses from the Gospel of Luke 3:2-18 NIV:
[2] "during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. [3] He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
[4] As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. [5] Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. [6] And all people will see God's salvation.' ”
[7] John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? [8] Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. [9] 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.”
[10] “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
[11] John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
[12] Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
[13] “Don't collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.
[14] Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”
He replied, “Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely---be content with your pay.”
[15] The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. [16] John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. [17] His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” [18] And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them."
I guess the first thing that surprises me is the initial message of John - "You brood of vipers!" Remembering that this was written by Luke decades after John first appeared, it is safe to say that this opening line was remembered for a reason! In the history of public speakers, calling your audience a "brood of vipers" is probably not the most recommended opening lines. These people had gone out of their way, one could say they were stirred by God to the point of actively seeking someone who would proclaim the word of the Lord, and John lays into them! It surely grabbed their attention.
Secondly, he comments on the coming wrath. It is interesting that the Greek word used by Luke here is orgḗ defined as a ("settled anger") proceeds from an internal disposition which steadfastly opposes someone or something based on extended personal exposure, i.e. solidifying what the beholder considers wrong (unjust, evil). Additional definition: "Orgē comes from the verb oragō meaning, 'to teem, to swell'; and thus implies that it is not a sudden outburst, but rather (referring to God's) fixed, controlled, passionate feeling against sin."
While John saw this as a coming wrath, it was revealed as God's victory over sin by Jesus' death on the cross. He had a plan, and while it was full of wrath and judgement, all that fell upon Jesus who took our place! This great victory does not preclude our need to repent from our sins, for repentance includes acknowledgement, owning the sin, and choosing to think and act differently going forward. John calls on them to "produce fruit in keeping with repentance". The people understood this to mean that they needed to change their behavior, not just their heart attitude.
The people didn't just listen and walk away, thinking that was a good sermon. They wanted to know how to apply the message to their lives. They asked "What should we do then?" Wouldn't this be a good question to ask ourselves after we hear a stirring sermon? How should my life change because of what I just heard? It is not a works orientation, but rather an obedience orientation. They were stirred and convicted by John's message and knew they needed to change, they needed to respond to God's words.
Jesus addresses this obedience in Matthew 21:28-32 NIV:
[28] “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' [29] “ 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
[30] “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go.
[31] “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. [32] For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him."
Embracing the Word of God, and allowing it to change us is not working our way to heaven or eternal life! This is necessary for us to become more and more like Jesus, who we follow. If we want to represent the Father, as Jesus did, we need to change our way of thinking and acting to do so. This is what James spoke of when he said faith without accompanying deeds (lives changing) is dead (James 2:17). I like the way John the Baptist said it, "produce fruit in keeping with repentance." If we truly believe these are God's words, then we must change our lives to conform to them!
Oh Lord, help me to listen and respond! Help me to be obedient to Your word in my life that I might represent You more fully. I recognize that I am so unlike You in many ways, and I do need to change! Help me to produce the fruit in keeping with repentance!
Amen and Amen!
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