John The Baptist

Scripture:  Matthew 3:1-12

1 In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, 2 “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” 3 The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! Clear the road for him!’ ” 4 John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. 5 People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. 6 And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. 7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. 9 Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 10 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire. 11 “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” (Matthew 3:1-12 NLT)

John the Baptist could have been a priest like his father Zechariah and could have had a cushy job serving in the Jerusalem Temple. But John knew he was born to turn the hearts of people back to God, to prepare the way for God’s Messiah and Savior. John’s passion drove him to be an outsider from the religious system all his short thirty-year life!

When the farmers and shepherds and craftsmen and tradespeople – ordinary people – heard John’s message to turn from their sins, turn to God, and prepare for living under God’s Kingdom rule, they came to him to be baptized. They confessed their sins and John baptized them into a new life as their hearts began turning toward God!

But John had strong words for the Jewish religious leaders! He criticized the Pharisees for their religious legalism and hypocrisy and he criticized the Sadducees for using their religion to gain political position and power.

What about my religion? I wonder what John the Baptist would say to me? Do I preach and profess to believe one thing and live another? Do I think I’m better than other people who don’t live by my religious rules? Do I isolate myself from people I look down on or disagree with? Do I try to profit or gain influence or power from my religion?

Prayer: 

Father, Please forgive me when I compare myself to others and think I look better for keeping religious rules and regulations. Forgive me when I judge others as unworthy if they don’t think, act, and look like me. Forgive me when I think that I deserve more power or privilege than someone else. I don’t want to be a manipulator! May I always approach you and others with clean hands and a pure heart.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.