Preparing the Way of the Lord!
Friday, December 3, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for being a God of wonders, who CAN change stones into people if You desire; and thank You for being a God who operates so often in the ordinary, everyday events of our lives, to demonstrate Your great love and passion for humanity. I pray that in the living of my life today, I will glorify You in all I think, say and do. 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 relied on your “heritage” or “connections” to get you on the good side of someone—even God?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
What does John tell the Pharisees and Sadducees to avoid when showing that they are in God’s favor? (3:9)
What will happen to those who do not repent and follow God’s will? (3:10)
Understanding God's Word
Based on today’s Scripture, what place does tradition and heritage play in our relationship with God?
What challenge do you find in today’s Scripture to the way the world views place and privilege?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
What one thing do you need to do as a result of reading today’s Scripture?
Thoughts...The "Ax" Test!
John could never be accused of subtlety in his preaching could he? He laid it clearly on the line for the Pharisees and Sadducees and all those who listened to his message—the Messiah is coming and if you aren’t ready, you WILL be “axed.” This agricultural image comes through loud and clear even in our post modern world. John put it as plainly as it can be put—if your life doesn’t show some type of “fruit,” then the “ax” will fall and you will be “cut out” of God’s kingdom. While we may put it more delicately, the truth remains: salvation is free, but growth in Jesus is both costly and evidenced by fruitful activity. It’s been said that Jesus calls us to faithfulness not fruitfulness, and the point of that statement is important: sometimes in our faithfulness, the fruit is not immediately evident. Yet, both John’s teaching and Jesus’ makes it clear that ultimately faithfulness does result in fruitfulness. We can’t produce the “fruit.” God does that in and through us, but it’s our connection to Jesus that is vital—as we stay connected to Him, the fruit is produced. Otherwise, John’s message IS for each of us. Apart from our connection to Jesus, each of us will be cut off.