Scripture Passage
Billy Sunday, another plain-spoken evangelist
Scripture Focus
“You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.” (Matthew 3:7-8 NLT)
Observation
There’s a lot to like—and plenty to ponder—in today’s reading. I’m amazed that Herod’s wise men could easily pinpoint the location of Jesus’ birth (Matthew 2:5-6) yet still either (1) miss everything else the Scriptures prophesied about Christ or (2) perhaps see all that, too, and *still* remain blind to who Jesus was and what He came to do.
I’m impressed with Joseph—a pre-Pentecost charismatic (by that I simply mean, “Wow, he was really open to revelation from the Holy Spirit, wasn’t he?”)—who had the spiritual sensitivity to understand the leading of the Spirit through God-given dreams.
But I especially like John the Baptist, who knew his role was to introduce the Messiah, not to *be* the Messiah…and who apparently never minced words with anyone! To the religious dignitaries of his day, John proclaimed…
“You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.” (Matthew 3:7-8 NLT)
God didn’t wire me quite like John the Baptist, so I can’t imagine ever genuinely speaking with such vitriol—especially to someone I hoped to see converted! John (I’m inclined to think) wouldn’t go too far in today’s politically correct world.
But that’s pretty much the point, actually. John seemed to have very little (read “no”) interest in “going far” in this world. John had his eyes on another world, on a higher purpose. About his life and his relationship to Christ, John said simply, “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30 NIV). No wonder John did not hesitate to speak the truth.
I won’t necessarily declare the truth the way John did—but I pray I say it still—always, and in every situation, with all the integrity of heart that John evidences here. “Today, Lord, let my life reflect all of who you are!”
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1 comment:
I was taken aback by the scripture that mentioned Prepare the way of the Lord. In my life Jesus did make the valley's full and the mountians and hills level and the curves made straight when it was revealed to me by the Holy Spirit that the only way to God in my Christian life that I had so carefully erected by works was through his Shed Blood. Now I can come boldly into the throwne room because God sees only Jesus not me as I am covered by the blood and hid in Christ Jesus. Praise the Lord all my land scapping is dung. He is the straight and smooth is the way to God.
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