John
the Baptist served an important role. His mission was to prepare the hearts of
the Jewish people to accept Jesus as the Messiah. “And he went into all the
region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the
forgiveness of sins.”
As
it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice
of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths
straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be
made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall
become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"” (v3-6)
The
timing of John’s message was also important:
“The
year is established in relation to Emperor Tiberius and the leadership that the
Romans have put in place in and around Judea. In this opening,
Pontius Pilate, Herod, and Caiaphas are all mentioned. Herod would be
responsible for the death of John the Baptist and, along with Pontius Pilate
and Caiaphas, would be in part responsible for the death of Christ. This
opening verse sets the scene for a world that has gone awry, a world where
God’s people live as a conquered people in their own land and where those in
power would crucify the one God sent to save the world.” (James Shenko).
The
Jewish people were looking for salvation from Rome but Christ came to save them
from their sin. John came to prick their hearts with awareness of sin and their
need to repent. Many who came to listen to John had become complacent to their
own sin. They were counting on their standing as Jews to consider themselves
righteous. But John warned them that God would judge the heart.
“He
said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You
brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in
keeping with repentance. And do not begin 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."” (v7-9)
John
got the attention of receptive hearts, willing to ask an important question.
“And
the crowds asked him, "What then shall we do?"” (v 10) John provided
individual examples of how a heart desiring to please God will respond and
these examples hold true even today. In contrast to a world rooted
in selfishness, those who want to please God will extend his love to
others.
The
Baptism of Repentance signified that the Jewish people were not putting their
faith in their heritage as Jewish citizens for salvation but publicly declaring
that the condition of their heart would be judged and their sin needed to be
forgiven. They were putting their faith in the mercy of God. John was an
important man of God, but John was not the Messiah. Only Jesus could provide
eternal forgiveness of sin. Only Jesus could bring the New Covenant and provide
the Holy Spirit who would help us live out the Christian life and produce
spiritual fruit.
“John
answered them all, saying, "I baptize you with water, but he who is
mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his
hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but
the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."” (v16-17)
Although we do not earn or
maintain our salvation by works, if our heart is in alignment with God’s will,
the love of Christ will be evident in the fruit produced in our lives. We will
be truly concerned about the welfare of others, about being honest in our
business dealings and personal relationships. We will see the resources that
God has blessed us with and be good stewards of those resources. We will be
glad to bless others who have need of our time,money, food, companionship,
etc.
Examine
your own heart and see if there are areas where you have become complacent
about sin. Ask God through his Holy Spirit to help you surrender your heart to
His will and produce good fruit.