John the Baptist gave a clear message about the need and the urgency of repentance followed by the evidence of fruitfulness. He called out the religious people for putting on a show but not having a substance to the claim in their faith in God.
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. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Matthew 3:7-11
This is a continuation from the last devotional in sharing some of the important truths that John the Baptist shared with people from the above passage:
3. John reminded the Pharisees and Sadducees that their security was in being children of Abraham, but that was not enough. Their family history or biology was not going to dictate whether they were God’s children or not.
Some believers are proud of their lineage, and they rely on their family history as an assurance of their faith. They claim that their grandfather or father were pastors, as if somehow that makes them more solid Christian. It’s a blessing to have a family line of believers. However, the family’s relationship with the Lord nor their positions in the church is not an indication of our relationship with Jesus. Each person comes to a relationship with the Lord based on their decision to repent and believe on the work of Jesus. They also are the only ones who can work out their salvation with fear and trembling. No one else can do that for them regardless of the number of “spiritual” people in their family.
4. John said that he was not worthy to carry Jesus’ sandals. John the Baptist did consider himself as anyone special even though his father was a priest, and his mother was related to Jesus’ mother. Before he was born, John the Baptist was given a great call from the Lord when his father, Zechariah, was met by the angel while performing his priestly duties. None of those facts caused John to see himself as anymore special or spiritual, neither did he see himself equal to Jesus.
If we are going to walk with Jesus, we need to move away from depending on natural pedigrees. When we rely on our family lineage, we are in danger of expecting certain entitlements because of our family of origin or the call of God in our lives. John the Baptist had a call from God, but he did something with the call. His call was dependent upon his obedience and following the Lord’s direction for his life. Not every person who had a call from the Lord, was successful in obedience to God. For example, Samson had a great call from God, but he failed in restraining his passions and walking in the fulfillment of God’s purpose in his life. The Lord used Samson’s life despite of him not in partnership with his obedience.
5. John the Baptist declared that God will be looking for fruitfulness in those who belong to Him. Our walk with the Lord is not just about our lives getting straightened out by the Lord. The Lord has invested His spirit and His wisdom in us, and He expects us to be fruitful with what He has given us. Every believer has been given opportunities and abilities to fulfill God’s purpose for His Kingdom and His glory.
6. John the Baptist declared that Jesus will baptize His people with spirit and fire. The fire will come to burn up carnality and worldly priorities. The Lord will clear the air from all the fog that we can walk in, and He will help us to see His glory clearly. He will also fill us with His spirit to bring us to a close and intimate relationship with Him. It is out of fullness that we can pour out His love into others’ lives, be a blessing, and become conduits of bringing His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.