Matthew 3:1-12 (NLT)
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.”
Explanation:
I am a list maker. I have lists for everything. My husband may even argue that some of my lists have lists. I like to be prepared. We are currently in the process of moving 700 miles away. My lists are in full swing- I have made lists, labeled boxes, and organized and re-organized our moving totes so that I can be as strategic and prepared for this event as possible.
In Malachi 3:1, it was prophesied that the messenger would prepare the way for Jesus. That messenger was John. I think that if John was around today, he’d appreciate my lists. Maybe not. Maybe he’d tell me to throw out the lists and make sure my heart was prepared. Make sure it was ready for Jesus. Make sure that Jesus wasn’t just a check box on one of my lists.
You see, John was a bit of what we’d call in modern times a “wilderness man,” fashioned in a camel hair garment and a leather belt, eating bugs and wild honey to survive. He didn’t care about anything but preparing a way for the Messiah. He didn’t care if you were a king or a peasant, rich or poor; he wanted to prepare your heart. He spoke the truth to everyone about getting your heart right with God and repenting of your sins. John called out the religious leaders for trying to “check a box” on their lists. They came for baptism, but they still had a heart condition— the condition of a hard heart full of sin. John called them out and spoke against them, saying that God wasn’t impressed with their title or lineage— He saw through all of that and into their sin.
A friend that I’ve known since I was very young was called into ministry during his teen years. I remember one of his first sermons when he addressed the adult congregation at their church on a Sunday morning with a powerful message about repentance. My friend’s sermon was titled, “Get Right, or Be Left.” It reminds me of how John implored people to live a life of true salvation and make a way for Jesus. Friends, I don’t want you to be left behind when Jesus comes to call us home. It’s time for you to make a way for Jesus.
Application:
We read in today’s passage about John’s appearance. This is significant because he looked a lot like the prophet Elijah in the Old Testament. In 2 Kings 1:8, it says that Elijah “wore a garment of hair, with a belt of leather around his waist.” John preached in Judea, a wilderness and desert region, much like Elijah had. Both were very blunt in their teachings, telling everyone they encountered to turn from their sin. When you look at this correlation, how do you see God’s plan of redemption forming over time from Elijah to the cross?
In order to live a life of salvation, we must turn from sin and follow Jesus. Have you made the commitment to really follow Jesus? Have you asked Him lately what work He wants you to do to make a way for others to know Him?
Devo Plus:
What can you do to make a way for others to know Jesus? We’ve been given some instructions in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18. Read this passage today and jot down 4-5 “action items” from this Scripture. Set out this week to focus on at least one of them, and in future weeks continue to build on those items as you live more purposefully.
Prayer:
Lord, we come to You with humble hearts. We are sinners. We ask for Your grace and forgiveness of the sinful patterns that corrupt our lives. Show me the work You want me to do today, and help me live in a manner that shines a light for You. Allow others to see Jesus in me and help me live among others in love and humility. Thank You for Your redemption plan— for making a way in the garden when humanity fell that would cover even someone like me thousands of years later. Thank You for the hope that You provide to us all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.