Prepared Hearts for December 8th

Hello Friends,

Welcome back to Prepared Hearts, the online Bible study of the Wacousta Community United Methodist Church.

For this second week of Advent our texts include: Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19, Romans 15:4-13 and Matthew 3:1-12.  I’ll be preaching from the Gospel of Matthew this week. The text is below, followed by starter thoughts:

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”  This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’” Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.  Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

STARTER THOUGHTS

A lot of the scripture we read this time of year finds its way onto Christmas cards. I think it’s safe to say that John’s comments here won’t make that cut. Ouch! John is brutal in his understanding of the coming Messiah with his winnowing fork and fire. How does John’s idea of Jesus compare with the Jesus who actually comes among the people?

As John the Baptist prepares the way for the coming Messiah, his cry to the people is for repentance. What does “repentance” mean to? What real-life application does it have? And what relationship do you see between repentance and making the way for Christ?

Even with his bizarre wardrobe and unusual diet, John was highly popular prophet during his time. What do you think John’s appeal was? He shared such a sharp message. Why do you think so many people were drawn to him?

There’s an economic component to this scripture that can’t be overlooked. John the Baptist lived by the absolute simplest means possible. Locusts were (and still are in some parts of the world) what the poorest individuals survived on. He lived and preached repentance, service and simplicity. Of course, the Christmas season that emerges all around us has very little to do with these things. Our culture’s version of Christmas is all about indulgence and extravagance. How do we keep to the basics of John’s message of making a way for Christ?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and reflections! Email me or post a comment here. 

Peace,

Pastor Amee