After over 400 years of waiting, John the Baptist shows up as a prophet wearing nothing but camel’s hair and a belt, eating locust and honey…he is unorthodox and wild.
Luke 3:2-16 the Word of God came to John, son of Zechariah in the desert. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As is written in the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.'”
750 years earlier God informed Isaiah that this was all going to happen. It was all under control.
God again is gracious sending John and a message of good news that any obstacle, twist, or turn that might keep Jesus from you will be removed. Now John goes on to tell us how to prepare for the arrival of Christ…
John said to the crowds (there were Sadducees and Pharisees in the crowd… the religious know it all’s) coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 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.
John the Baptist is telling them and us that calling yourself a Jew, being religious, wearing the label Christian, going to church does not make you right with God. Repentance is the key, SO… REPENT, make a U-Turn, go in the other direction. Move toward Jesus.
“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.”
John says produce good fruit, for this is the evidence of repentance. Now here is the fruit…
“What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.” (Be generous toward others) Tax collectors also came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. (Be interested in the wellbeing of others over your own greedy interests) 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.” (Be others oriented, don’t take advantage of anyone).
These instructions have been important since John spoke them 2000 years ago. Then he says…
The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.
COVID has produced a lot of waiting! As we wait to celebrate the arrival of our Savior this Christmas, remember the Savior came. Nothing can stop Him.
Repent and live for Him. Produce fruit for Him. Wait expectantly for Him.
John was speaking to an audiences of “wait-ers”. He told them what to do.
This Christmas we should too.
In Christ,
Steve
