Reverend Richard Edens – 12/13/2015

Posted on Dec 16 2015
Scripture Reference: Luke 3:7-18

The life of faith is a life lived in wonder and in right relationships with God and one another. John the Baptist is one who underscores the rightness of relationships. Our lives should “bear fruit worthy of repentance.” Notice that John does not call the crowds, “Vipers” but the “brood of vipers” or the “fruit of vipers.” His theme of “a fruit worthy of repentance” continues as John reminds us that we can not rest on our title as a “son of Abraham or daughter of Sarah,” you have to practice your faith. So how do you think John will answer if you ask, “What should we do?”

John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Even tax-collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.” As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So, wit h many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.