Introduction
Again I want to mention this: the seasons of Advent is to remind us the comings of Christ. About 2000 years ago, Christ came as a baby in a manger. As He had promised, one day he will return to be our King forever. Jesus’ first coming was to fulfil the promises God swore to Abraham: God will make Abraham a great nation and all nations shall be blessed through him. (Gen 12:1-3). Through Jesus, people from all nations can become children of Abraham. As Paul said in Galatians 3:7 - Understand, then, that those who have faith (in Christ) are children of Abraham.
In the Old Testament time, the children of God rebelled against God by worshiping idols, committed adultery, involving in sorceries and occultisms, not acted righteousness, no justice and mercy…God sent diseases, natural disasters and invasions from other nations to punish His rebellious children. But before these punishments arrived, God always send prophets to rebuke His people and calling them to repent and live. For instance, the prophet Jeremiah rebuked the officials and all the people by saying: “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard. Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the LORD your God. Then the LORD will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you…” (Jer 26:12-13)
In Jesus’ time, there were not much changes compare to the time in the OT. People continue to sin against God. John the Baptist was sent by God to challenge the people to repent and believe in the good news of God.
1. John the Baptist called out for repentance
His call was urgent for the Kingdom of God is near. There is no time for relaxation. There is not time for half-heartedness. There is not time for looking for alternatives. When the Kingdom comes, the judgement comes also. In John’s terms, the axe is lying at the roots of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (Matt 3:10)
2. John the Baptist reminded that each person is to bear his own responsibility
John reminded the people: “do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham…” (Matt 3:9). The religious people thought that they have been observing all sorts of traditions and were very proud on them. They were confident not on God but on things they have done. They had not faith on God but on their performances. But God wants obedience more than sacrifices. As Samuel rebuke King Saul: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.” (1 Sam 15:22-23).
In John’s words, even if there is no one obey the Lord, God will able to raise his obedient people from stones.
3. John the Baptist urged people for the baptism of repentance
John’s baptism was called the baptism of repentance. This call for repentance is the open door for the baptism to come, the baptism of Christ, the baptism with the Spirit and fire. True repentance is not for outward show off but inner purification by the Spirit of God. True repentance always comes with holiness and fruit of the Spirit.
Paul warned people of his time that the acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft (astrology, fengshui etc); hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. (Gal 5:19-21) He further warned that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)
4. John the Baptist knew that he was the forerunner of Christ
John’s words about he as the forerunner of Christ were mentioned at least 7 times in the NT:
Matt 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Mark 1:7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.
Luke 3:16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
John 1:26-27 I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’
Acts 13:25 John was completing his work, he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’
Conclusion
John message was clear: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” It warns us “repentance” is the doorway to salvation just as John was the forerunner of Christ. I know many people would say God is love and will never condemn people to hell. But if we are honest to the whole biblical truth, we know the Day of Judgement will come and the hell of fire is real. Do not be deceived by the devil. Some of such deceptions are:
Death is beautiful. There is not suffering after all. God is all about love, he will not judge. Who cares if there is a world after life. Eat, drink, be happy and be merry. Just a little bit of this and that would be alright, God will not bother anyway….
Repent! For the Kingdom of God is near!
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