In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. ” 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!’” 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. People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. 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? 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. “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. 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

Dear God, who are these people that came out into the wilderness to hear John? What were they looking for? Why were they baptized? I’ve never really thought about them before. I know they were repenting, but why? What were they gaining from it other than a clean conscience?

What I’m about to say are all assumptions because Matthew doesn’t really tell us why. But if I had done what they did, this might be why.

• I was miserable in my first-century, Roman-ruled life and I was looking for some hope.
• I was looking for the Messiah and John seemed to know about him.
• When I got there, John made my life about me and my attitude towards you. He did the old “ask not what God can do for you, but what you have been doing for God” routine.
• I made a recommitment to be Jewish and clean my own life up as a result of listening to John.

Father, I guess I have two things coming out of this passage. First, I’m sure there are things in my life for which the Holy Spirit is trying to convict me. I can think of a couple right now. I’m truly sorry. I do need you to forgive me. I am very sorry.

Second, as I prepare to preach at a local church this Sunday, give me the words you want this congregation to hear. Lay your truth on them through me. Speak through me so that your Spirit might enter the world through them.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen