True Wildman! - Matthew 3
John the Baptist, a very interesting character. Can you say TOTALLY sold out?! I get the impression that he was not too concerned with what others thought of him or said about him. Look at the way he dresses. Look at his diet. He is totally self-contained, depending upon nothing but the Lord.
So - it's not surprise his comments as he saw the religious leaders coming to him to be baptized. It appears as though he went ahead and baptized them, but with this warning:
8 Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God. 9 Don't just say, 'We're safe – we're the descendants of Abraham.' That proves nothing. God can change these stones here into children of Abraham. 10 Even now the ax of God's judgment is poised, ready to sever your roots. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.
Serious stuff, no? Can you imagine what must have been going through their minds? "Hey, I just came here to be baptized - how dare you infer that I'm only getting baptized for the purpose of 'fire insurance'!"
I like this John - he tells it like it is. Can't wait to chat with him on the "back porch", too!
peace,
e
