Image from agnusday.org
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? 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. 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." "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." 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. 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." 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. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 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." And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them. (Luke 3:7-18 NIV)
John Wesley had a simple, but powerful question for those wanting to join the weekly class meeting of Methodists: "Are you will to flee the coming wrath of God?" Gulp. How many of us would join a Sunday school class that would ask that of us by the teacher standing at the door? How many Sunday school teachers would dare ask that question? But perhaps they should, and we certainly should ask ourselves that question. John the Baptist did. His message of good news was for all to repent for the kingdom of God was near. This struck many to the core of their being and they sought to be forgiven and baptized clean of their sins. But John wants to make sure they're ready aware of what they are asking. He then shares, as the sheep above discuss, actions to match the decision: "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." In other words, live a life that tells others that we have been forgiven and so can they. Sin no longer needs to keep visiting our minds from years ago; we have been forgiven and we should live like it. John also says we can't hide behind what our parents or grandparents have done: "'We have Abraham as our father.'" That counts for nothing; you've heard the expression, "God has no grandchildren"? It's true! All of us are sons and daughters if we surrender to God.
John continues, share with those in need; do right in your workplace; be straightforward in your dealings; do not tell lies about others. These are but the beginning of a solid foundation for Christ-centered living.
Then John speaks of Jesus as He would who come in a powerful way, Who would baptize with the fire of the Holy Spirit, and Who would clean out those who had not been living as they should and separate them from those who had; those who heard this, still had a chance to turn their lives around. This is the good news!
PRAYER: Loving God, I seek repentance and new direction for my life. Set me on the path I should follow, to be the person You called me to be. Help me in my home, with my family and friends, help me to be the best at my work. And help me accept Your forgiveness, so that the memory of previous, forgiven sins, stays where it should, in the past. This I pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
