Read Luke 3:1-20
“Repent, brood of vipers, flee the coming wrath; the ax is laid to the root, thrown into the fire.” These are strong words from the prophet John—and they are exactly what is needed. John’s role was to prepare hearts and minds for Jesus. He was sent to call people to repentance, turning them away from their sin and toward complete dependence on the Messiah.
This is no small matter. This is not merely religious banter or spiritual conversation. In truth, it is not hyperbole to describe this as a matter of life and death. The rejection of God is death—not because those who repent and turn in dependence on Christ somehow deserve life, but because Christ is life, and dependence on Him is the only way to receive it.
We need John’s strong words because they confront us and drive us to turn from sin, turn to Christ, and lean on Him alone. We dare not place our confidence in ourselves, our church membership, or even in the strength of our own faith. We need John’s strong words to move us toward boldness—to speak the message of Christ clearly to our family, friends, and neighbors—rather than being lulled into complacency, as though the gospel were of little consequence. We need John’s strong words so that we may rest in rightly placed confidence. The God who could raise up children of Abraham from stones has instead, by sheer grace, declared us to be His children in Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, turn me to repentance from my sins. Turn me to dependence on the grace of Christ. Then embolden me to speak the gospel to those in my life who need to hear it. Amen.