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 God’s 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.”
Read Matthew 3:1-12 in context and/or in other translations on BibleGateway.com!
Before Jesus has stepped onto the scene of history, the prophet Isaiah prophesied that there would be someone who would come before Him to help prepare the way. The man to fulfill this prophecy was named John, and we call him John the Baptist to help distinguish him from other “John” characters in the Bible.
John the Baptist’s ministry was effective, and it attracted attention. However, John didn’t attract people with a heartwarming message of God’s love for everyone. John’s message was blunt, challenging, and even offensive at times. Matthew tells us in his gospel that when John sees some Pharisees and Sadducees coming to listen to him, “he denounced them. ‘You brood of snakes!’ he exclaimed. ‘Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. 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. 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.’” (v. 7b-10)
In John the Baptist’s mind, sharing the truth was his most important mission – and speaking the truth in every situation, to every individual that came within earshot.
But here in this challenge to the Sadducees and Pharisees, John the Baptist draws our attention to a very important concept: While nationality is important, it cannot erase someone’s personal decisions.
The Pharisees and Sadducees had elevated their family tree as being the most important factor in their salvation. John cuts through their argument by challenging them directly. While it was true that God protected the Israelites through the majority of the plagues in Egypt, John’s message is essentially, “stop living in the past, thinking the decisions of your ancestors will protect you. Remember that it was your ancestors that got the entire nation exiled. Individual decisions matter more than race or ancestry.”
John even draws our attention to the truth that God can create children of Abraham from anything. This is important for you and me. If we are not direct descendants of Abraham, then in John’s challenge to these religious Jews, he opens the door for the message that God can adopt a non-descendant into His family.
Personal decisions are important. They can either move you closer towards God and adoption into His family, or they can lead away, and sever any past ties to God that you may have began your life with.
This thought was inspired by studying the Walking With Jesus “Reflective Bible Study” package. To discover insights like this in your own study time, click here and give Reflective Bible Study a try today!
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