Preparing the Way of the Lord!
Thursday, December 2, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank you for this new day! I pray that as I live it, I will live in the power of Your Holy Spirit and that my life will be so much more than just an attempt to avoid Your judgment. My everything I do bring You glory and honor and lead others to see the greatness of Your salvation. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen
God’s Word Today
Matthew 3:1-12
1In those days John the Baptist began preaching in the Judean wilderness. His message was, 2“Turn from your sins and turn to God, because the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” 3Isaiah had spoken of John when he said,
“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness:
‘Prepare a pathway for the Lord’s coming!
Make a straight road for him!’”
4John’s clothes were woven from camel hair, and he wore a leather belt; his food was locusts and wild honey. 5People from Jerusalem and from every section of Judea and from all over the Jordan Valley went out to the wilderness to hear him preach. 6And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
7But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee God’s coming judgment? 8Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God. 9Don’t just say, ‘We’re safe—we’re the descendants of Abraham.’ That proves nothing. God can change these stones here into children of Abraham. 10Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever your roots. 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 turn from their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is far greater than I am—so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12He is ready to separate the chaff from the grain with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, storing the grain in his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”
Reflecting on God's Word
Have you ever seen someone seek to get on God’s “good side” for selfish motives rather than simply to gain His salvation?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
How did John respond to the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized? (3:7)
What did John say would prove that a person has truly repented? (3:8)
Understanding God's Word
Why do you suppose that John was so hard on the Pharisees and Sadducees when they came out to be baptized?
What relationship does works have to our salvation according to this passage of Scripture?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
What one thing do you need to do as a result of reading today’s Scripture?
Thoughts...Fleeing God's Judgment...
John’s message was what might be called “hell fire and brimstone!” He definitely believed that those who did not repent of their sins and turn to God, would be judged, and that ultimately they would be burned with unquenchable fire. This message of “turn or burn” doesn’t play well in our day, but the message IS true. The reality is that anyone who does not receive the salvation that Jesus offers WILL spend eternity separated from Him in hell. If that message is frightening that’s good! After all, it’s one way that we can be challenged to think about ultimate matters! John’s message focused on judgment. The interesting thing is that Jesus also started His preaching with the challenge to “Repent! For the kingdom of God is at hand.” The difference with Jesus’ message is that in addition to judgment, He also focused on salvation—on the way out of judgment. John’s message pointed to the hope of transformed lives, and to the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, but the primary thrust of his message was judgment. Let’s take the truth from his message and turn to God!