Fruit Consistent with Repentance

Scripture: When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he [John] said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance." Matthew 3:7-8

Observation: The actions of the Jewish leaders are complicated. They often align themselves to Jewish law and traditional rituals as their form of religious practices. However, it also seems like many of them will explore - at least hear about - new ideas, practices, and teaching. We know they often come to listen to Jesus, especially in the first half of his ministry. Here we see that they make the trek to the Jordan River to learn what John is teaching, and the implication is "many" of them actually get baptized.

While this seems extraordinary at first, there is something overlooked about John's activity: By birthright, John is in fact a priest. He is the oldest son of a respected priest who directly served in the temple, and some might even know that his birth is connected with his father's encounter with the Lord within the Holy of Holies. Therefore, while the baptism being performed by John is not necessarily consistent with a bathing one might be subject to as part of becoming ceremonial clean, there is logic to Pharisees and Sadducees both investigating and agreeing to receive baptism from John.

John knows that the Jewish religious leaders are double-minded in their relationship with the Lord ... that they are proud of their status gained by outward righteousness founded only on behaviors and not a relationship with Yahweh. Just like Jesus will, he calls out their behaviors that actually harm the faithful, and challenges them to act according to their desire for repentance. Yet he acknowledges their choice and baptizes them anyway.

Application: As I begin the new year, I want to remove any pride I have in thinking I am a good and faithful disciple, and instead simply ... pray, listen to the Lord, and proceed as he would have me do. I want a better relationship, that results in the Lord actually giving me instruction, and me following those instructions.

I don't want this year to be about "doing" church things and feeling righteous because I do. I want this year to be about experiencing the Lord's direction every day, and doing whatever he tells me to do.

I want to repent of pride and false righteousness. And I want to produce fruit consistent with that repentance.

Prayer: Lord, as we begin a new earthly calendar, I renew my desire to simply hold your hand and humbly walk with you every day. I am so utterly lost in life. However, I know you have a plan and a path for me, even when I cannot see it. I don't need to see it. I trust in you, my father and my God. May I do what you would have me do, not what any tradition would make me think is righteous, for I only desire to know you more. Amen.