Matt 3:1-12 for Sunday, December 9, 2007

Translation:
(1)And in those days, John the Baptist came proclaiming in the desert of Judah (2)saying "Repent! For the kingdom of heaven has drawn near. (3)For this is the one who was spoken through Isaiah the prophet saying 'A voice cries in the desert, 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight!"' (4)And John's garments were from camel hair and a leather belt around his waist and his food was locusts and wild honey. (5)Then they went out to him, Jerusalem and all of Judah and all of the region around Jordan. (6)And they were baptized in the Jordan river by him, confessing their sins. (7)But seeing 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 about to come? (8)Bear, then, fruit worthy of repentance (9)and do not presume, saying to yourselves, "We have father Abraham." For I say to you that God is able from these stones to raise up children of Abraham. (10)And already the ax is laid at the root of the trees. Then every tree not making good fruit is cut down and put into the fire. (11)I baptize you in water for repentance, but after me is coming [one] stronger than me, whose sandals I am not able to carry. He will baptize you in holy spirit and fire. (12)His winnowing fork is in his hand and he will clear out his threashing floor and he will gather his grain into the storehouse, but the chaff he will burn up in an unquenchable fire.

John the Baptist is an interesting character isn't he? Matthew sets up quite the image of him here. John was baptizing people from all over the region. His preaching was clearly quite popular, but judging from his dress and eating habits, he was probably not a popular part of upper class society. The word he was preaching about the coming kingdom would probably have appealed to lower class folks whose lives were very hard anyhow.

John was preaching that people should repent for the kingdom of heaven is coming! Those who repented were baptized. But wait. Baptism is a Christian thing, isn't it? Not necessarily. Ritual baths were used quite often in Judaism and it wouldn't be unusual to take a ritual bath to cleanse sin after repentance. Moreover, baptism may have actually been a conversion practice by this time.

When the Pharisees and Sadducees start coming, John clearly has a strong reaction. He calls them a "brood of vipers" as if they are the vermin scurrying from the danger of a burning building. John makes his stance clear. Baptism alone is not enough. If one hears about the coming kingdom and wishes not to be "thrown in the fire" then one must truly repent. Getting ready for the coming kingdom is important work and there is more to do than simply make sure the "bases are covered." One must be genuine in their anticipation of the kingdom in their lives.

The same is true for us as we prepare this Advent for the coming of the Christ child in our lives. The truth is that when Jesus was resurrected from the dead, a new era of history began to reign. Death would no longer have the final word. Even though things on earth do not seem that different, for those who believe, Jesus makes all the difference. As we prepare for Christ, we must repent (the Hebrew literally means "to turn" or to change directions and go another way). We must constantly be reorienting ourselves toward God so that we can always be ready for the final consummation of the kingdom to be ushered in.

Advent has always been about more than simply welcoming a cute baby. It is about preparing our hearts and minds to accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, and as the one who will reign in our hearts and in our lives.