“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?’” (Luke 3:7)
Why did John the Baptist speak so harsh and even
uncomfortable and unpopular words to the people of Israel in the first century?
“You brood of vipers!” His ministry was headquartered in the wilderness near
the Jordan River. He lived in the deserts until he made a public appearance in
Israel (Luke 1:80). When the time was ripe, the word of God came to John the
son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He was told to prepare the way of King and
Lord by delivering the message of life through repentance to bring the forgiveness
of sins and true life.
Why was John’s ministry in the wilderness, not in Jerusalem
Temple? It’s because the Israel’s spiritual condition was exactly the same as
the wilderness. They were barren, lonely, dry, gloomy, hopeless, empty,
meaningless, unsatisfied and lost. Is it not really contemporary? The holy
people of God and the chosen ones were subjected to the heavy hand of Romans.
The leaders who were supposed to be the shepherds of the lost people were
established as the iron instrument of religious machinery whom Jesus called the
sons of the devil. Nevertheless, in due time God moved in time and space and
raised John as the messenger of God to the nation Israel.
What an encouragement and comfort to the descendant of
Abraham! Our God is consistent and faithful in keeping the promises given to
the ancestors. Although His chosen people became like the dry and barren trees,
He never forgot the promise that the descendants of Abraham would be as
numerous as the stars in the sky. Our God started just where they were in the
wilderness. As a matter of fact, the Immortal God made Himself in the likeness
of man, leaving the glory, honor, and throne behind. He Himself came to the
wilderness just like He made a visit to Adam who was hidden from the face of the
Lord God.
God spoke through Moses and the prophets to His people that
if they obeyed all the commandments of the law they would be abundantly blessed
down through generations and generations. Listen to this heartbreaking voice of
God spoken through Prophet Isaiah, saying “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as
snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are
willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you
resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord
has spoken. (Isaiah 1:18-20)
Finally after the long patience and endurance, God spoke
through Prophet John whose message was blunt and direct, saying “Repent, for
the kingdom of heaven has come near!” The Scripture confirms that there is no
sin which cannot be forgiven on the face of the earth except a sin that
blasphemes the Holy Spirit. What is that blaspheming of the Spirit of God? It
doesn’t mean to fail and sin at times as we all do including the mighty apostle
Paul. It means the stubborn and consistent resistance of repenting as opposed
to the truth that tells and appeals patiently and faithfully.
In Israel, the John’s baptism became a popular fad and craze
in those days like going to church these days. All kinds of people thronged to
come receive the baptism in Jordan by this awkward looking man who wore the
clothes made of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist and ate
locusts and wild honey. So, the prophet harshly rebuked the people who just
thought they could flee from the wrath of God by being baptized in water. “You
brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”
It is not the ritual but the life change that God seeks. It
is not the shadow or copy but the reality God is after. It is useless to go to
church thousand times and offer hundred times if not accepted by God. What God
is after is not outward appearance, burnt offerings and sacrifices but our
hearts. Do not follow the fads but the reality that God tells and appeals
constantly and patiently in our very midst. No matter how look attractive and
gorgeous in the eyes of men, no matter how pious religiously, if not accept by
God all is rubbish. As our Lord Jesus says, all things are being destroy by
moths and vermin and thieves but there are treasures in heaven which are not destroyed
at all (Matthew 6:20).
Listen to what Apostle Paul says. “Those who live according
to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live
in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The
mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is
life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not
submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh
cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in
the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if
anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.”
(Romans 8:5-9)
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