From what I read, John would never pass Dale Carnegie’s course, How to Win Friends and Influence People. John’s appearance was rough and tumble and his words straight, seemingly with an edge to them. Assuming this morning’s reading is representative of John’s preaching, he certainly didn’t soften his blow: John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For 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." "What should we do then?" the crowd asked. John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?" "Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely--be content with your pay."
The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them (7-18).
You wouldn’t hear that at a political rally!
Yet people came. They were honest about their shortcomings, failures, lifestyles and sins. They accepted John’s call to repentance and baptism for repentance. It is their honesty with self that connected with me. Jesus’ call to repentance requires the same self-honesty. To accept a savior a person must admit she/he needs help!
Lord, I need help. I needed help years ago when I first came and asked You to save my life and I need help today. I pray and work and try to live my life for You. Lord Jesus, I am a sinner and I need and desire Your saving love and grace regularly. Help me Jesus to live a life worthy of Your name. Amen.
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