Bearing Fruit in Keeping with Repentance

Visiting with John, son of Zechariah, is always a blast. He’s not afraid to speak his mind and tell others what they really need to hear.

I love how Luke quotes Isaiah (40:3-5) in this third chapter to confirm John’s calling since John didn’t – yet John knew his purpose was to prepare the way for the Lord.

He was so sure of his purpose, when the crowds ask him what they should do, John responds,

“Bear fruits in keeping with repentance.” (Luke 3:8a ESV)

This was such a new concept that the crowds didn’t know what to do.

So what do they need to do . . .

The crowds – One can assume that the crowds were made up of mostly Gentiles since John’s response was “Share your clothing and your food” – the Jews would have know this since it’s part of the Law.

The rest of the crowd was made up of tax collectors and soldiers – those people hated by the commoners – Jews and Gentiles alike.  What was John’s response to them?

BE NICE – Don’t collect more than you’re authorized to and don’t extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation.  Be content with your wages!

After speaking his mind with such authority, everyone wondered if John was the Christ.

No, just related to Him.

Kidding aside, John says he’s not worthy to untie the strap of His sandals.

But was John really unworthy? Are we unworthy? I mean, Jesus was born to save us in all our unworthiness.

When people speak of Christ dying on the cross, they usually follow with “I didn’t deserve that.” But, we really did.  Just like the crowds John was speaking to, our sins caused Jesus to die. He did it with Love but we still deserved his reason for dying – without it, salvation would not come.

So, Just like Herod and all his evil deeds, we’re given the opportunity to repent and “Bear Fruits in Keeping with Repentance” – it’s our choice to accept or not accept. What will your choice be?

I’ll skip the Genealogy, can’t pronounce the names anyway.

{Tomorrow, someOne is Tempted . . . join me to find out Who and How}