The stakes are high, says John. Are you ready for them?
Are You Sure?
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.”
~ the Gospel According to Matthew, Chapter 3, verses 1 to 12, from The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. 1989, Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers. (Revised Common Lectionary, Year A, the Second Sunday of Advent: 4 December 2016)
Jesus’ ministry is an extension of John the Baptist’s ministry. John called people to repentance: to turn away from evil and toward God. Jesus called people to follow: to God where God is going, into wisdom, condemnation, and resurrection. One cannot follow Jesus without turning; there is no purpose to turning unless we’re going to follow.
Repentance implies a willingness to evaluate one’s life and actions. It necessitates self-judgment or (more completely) a willingness to be judged. The repentant came to John because they recognized a need for change—maybe small, maybe radical—but serious change nonetheless.
John, however, does not seem interested in self-aggrandizement or maintaining a positive PR campaign. He almost threatens his baptisands with a promise about what’s coming: The next guy is going to raise the stakes. Are you ready for that?
If you make the first cut for the soccer team, are you ready for the grueling August double practices required to make the team good? If you start attending PTA meetings, are you ready for the committee work and politicking necessary for real change? Once you graduate high school, do you realize that failing at a job means loss of paycheck, car, and home?
The stakes are high, says John. Are you ready for them?
I don’t think John (or the Christian faithful, who often share John’s ministry) means to be a harbinger of dread. Jesus’ proclamation contains as much joy and simplicity as it does challenge. Faith and commitment are required for a life of discipleship. But be ready for faith and commitment.
And be ready for challenge. John was beheaded and Jesus crucified. As often as not, the road of faith and devotion does not lead to fame or fortune. Being winnowed by the Spirit more often means turning away from the great goals of society.
Discipleship to Jesus is not the same as joining the soccer team, serving on the PTA, or even holding a successful career in microbiology or custodial services. These are all good things, but they are made good—at the most fundamental level—by one’s discipleship to Jesus. Soccer will last a few decades of my life. PTA involvement, about the same; work a few more. But following Jesus is for keeps. It is about the unfathomable loop of eternity and every present moment.
Do you know that? Do you know that’s what you offer people when you invite them to follow Jesus? Do they know it?
Harvester of Lives, thresh my being with your expert hand. Crack open the husk of sin and sorrow. Lift me to the wind, so that what holds me in thrall may be carried away by the force of the Spirit. Bring me back to ground more patient, loving, and more Christ-like than I had been before. I ask it for the shining glory of God!
~ emrys tyler