John the Baptist
And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Luke 3:3 KJV
John the Baptist had a hard job to do as a prophet of God. He had to preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. This would be especially hard to preach to the stiff-necked audience of Jews who were very prideful of their heritage. They would not accept Christ as Savior when He arrived. These Jews, led by the Pharisees, had compiled a book known as the Talmud, which contained much idolatry, blasphemy, and lies. The Pharisees seemed bent on trusting in their Talmud much more than on the inspired Scriptures. It was amongst this group, which John termed a “generation of vipers,” that he was sent to preach repentance. (Luke 3:7)
Do you sometimes feel as if you may resemble these Jews of John’s day? Do you sometimes think to yourself that your worldview, no matter how tainted by secular humanism it may be, is more trustworthy than the Scriptures?
We must humble ourselves and reject that pride which makes us trust ourselves more than God’s Word. A wise man once said that the Scriptures should mold our worldview and our worldview should not mold our interpretation of the Scriptures. After we repent, then we may ask, as the Jews did, “What shall we do then?” John gave us an answer to what we are to do once we, through the Holy Spirit’s leading, have repented of sin. In Luke 3:11,13-14 John tells the people, publicans, and soldiers to share with their fellow men: do not steal, don’t harm others, don’t lie, be content with what God has allowed you to have. These are acts of humility. These works display the realization that we are not wiser than God. These are the “fruits worthy of repentance” that John tells the people to bring forth. Without them, there is nothing but chaff which will be “hewn down, and cast into the fire.” (Luke 3:8-9) Let us heed John’s words to similarly repent and care for our fellow man.
Lord, help us to humbly bring forth fruits worthy of repentance as we wholly submit to your Word. Amen.