The Baptist's Ministry

Mt. 3:1-12

Jesus' cousin made his entry onto the scene with great flourish. His clothing consisted of a garment of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist. His diet was only locusts and wild honey. Yuck! However, locusts were a common food for people who were nomadic desert dwellers, and is still eaten today by the poorer people in the Middle East and Africa.  He began preaching in the wilderness of Judea with a message of repentance. Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. He was the fulfillment of the OT prophecy, The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight. Consequently, he attracted much attention. 

People from Jerusalem, Judea, and the area around the Jordan came to him to hear him preach about repentance and baptism. Even the Pharisees and Sadducees made an appearance. Although I am sure that they wished they had not come. When John saw them, he said, You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father,' for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.  Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  "I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." 

I imagine that the Pharisees and the Sadducees had never been publicly insulted like that before. What a slap in the face! But his message was one that went straight to the heart. Their external religiosity meant nothing. But beyond that, what a set-up for Jesus. He was to prepare the way, and he certainly did! Were the people who listened just overcome with curiosity? Who was the person who was to follow? Who would have such power? 

Father,

Thank You for such an example of pure faith. It is not in the way that I appear, but in the way that my heart functions. Help me to stay pure, to honor You constantly, and to love Jesus without any impurity. Thank You for making Your wheat to be gathered into Your barn.

In Jesus name,

Amen