Day 11

Day 11
Matthew 3:1-9 Now in those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah saying; “the voice of one crying in the wilderness; ‘ prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’” But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them,” Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.” Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him, and were baptized by him in the Jordan confessing their sins.
John the Baptist did far more than just appear to be controversial, he was! The very thought that someone would suggest to the Jewish leaders that repentance was required to enter the kingdom was very contradictory to their beliefs and understanding of the Old Testament. You see the Pharisees believed that they were guaranteed a place in heaven as the result of their genealogy; they were the children of Abraham. They believed that heaven was their birthright, yes they must endeavor to keep the law. However to publicly repent for sin and then to be baptized into this belief was no doubt by some considered a form of heresy. Yet, to the common man this made absolute sense, to him the need for repentance was much more obvious. You see when people think they have a right to something they tend to become somewhat arrogant about it; they misuse it, and often take the value of that item for granted. However the opposite is true for those who must earn things of value, they tend to be much more humble, appreciative, and nurturing. They are more than happy to receive a message that fosters hope. Now combine the fact that the religious leaders are making them feel unworthy, and John’s preaching of new hope and you have the catalyst for creation of a new movement. Truly John was paving the way for Jesus by spreading a message of hope for the common man, and repentance for the leaders, on one side extremely popular, on the other extremely unpopular! Truly today the circumstances have changed very little, people who have gotten comfortable and complacent in their relationship with God have no desire to change or repent, and after all they have what they desire. And yes as in days of old those who have yet to receive this promise hunger for it and are willing to make the effort to receive it! Just where do you fit in this equation, are you comfortable and complacent, or hungry to the point of desperation, prayerfully you are in the latter group for the first may hear these words “I never knew you, depart from Me” (Matt 7:23).

Daily Prayer: Father may we never become so comfortable in our sin and transgression that we no longer recognize it as a barrier between You and us, in Jesus name I pray. Amen.
“Hope is most alive when we understand the need to have that hope in Christ”
Gene Burroughs Servant