Matthew 3:7-12 (NIV)
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And 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. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
John never stopped warning the people about the One who would come after him. There were many, including the Pharisees and Sadducees that came to hear John preach, who believed themselves to be righteous before God by their adherence to the law, or by virtue of their position, and thereby having no need for repentance and baptism. They were looking forward to the Day of the Lord, the day the Messiah would come and take over the nation, sweeping them along with Him to great power and great acclaim for their righteousness.
But John echoed the words of the prophet Amos to the self-confident Israelites and Judeans: Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! Why do you long for the day of the LORD? That day will be darkness, not light. (Amos 5:18 NIV) John pointed out that the One to come would not pronounce His blessing on those who did not produce fruits of repentance. Lineage, descent, sacrifices, and attendance at temple services would give no benefit when standing before the coming Messiah. He would see into a person’s very soul. He would be no respecter of persons, and would show no deference to those in positions of importance.
Jesus was not coming to just to bless all of the Jewish people, but to complete the process of sorting and purification that John had begun with His baptisms. John’s ministry had already sorted out those who were aware of their own sinfulness and need for repentance from those who believed that they were good enough on their own.
Jesus’ presence and ministry would not only make those differences even more apparent, but would also bring judgment on those who showed their unrepentant hearts by rejecting Him and His disciples. This action would be so definitive that John likens it to separating the wheat from the chaff, so that the wheat could be bought into the Lord’s barn, and burning up the chaff with fire that never goes out.
The coming of Jesus held no terror for those whose hearts were soft and repentant. But for those who stubbornly refused to turn to God through repentance, the consequence would be terrible.
Father, we often picture Jesus as this meek and gentle man who was loved by everyone, and who would never hurt a fly. And He was all of that to those whose hearts were soft, and who came to Him humbly. But we can’t overlook the fact that He was perceived so differently by those who rejected Him, or who came to Him in self-righteousness, making demands of Him. Those people faced a sterner Jesus, who warned them of the cost of rejecting Him. Lord, help me to always keep my own heart soft and responsive to You and Your instructions, so that I can always walk in the presence of Your love and grace. Amen.