Luke 3:7-14 — Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
On Sunday we were blessed by the preaching of David Platt, recently appointed President of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. We were interested to discover that reactions to his message were mixed. I found the same was true of his books. What was surprising too me was the amount of criticism focused on his style, and not the content of his message.
The message, in all truth, might be sufficient to stir up controversy. In essence, it is that we all owe God a “blank check”; we should be prepared to commit time, property and life itself if He demands it — it is our “reasonable service” in helping to reach the unreached.
Reading this passage about John the Baptist, this morning, put me in mind of Pastor Platt and the mixed reception to His message.
John’s style wasn’t exactly cozy either. I’m sure that he got a mixed reception — especially from scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees. His message was not an easy one for his hearers.
First of all, he calls them out for their behavior — suggesting that, like desert vipers smelling a fire, they
“smelled” the coming judgment and were coming out of their holes to find some safety.
Next, he makes it clear that being God’s chosen people, having Abraham as their father, would not protect them from judgment — a good thought for anybody today who thinks they are one of “God’s children”!
John moves beyond the need for repentance to the duties of life. He encourages the sharing of wealth with those who have none.
Finally, John turns to the idea of service. His is an interesting perspective. When the tax gatherer and soldier ask him what they should do, he doesn’t say “go on a mission trip” or “be super faithful and religious”. He says “do what you at doing, but do it as it should be done”. It’s a thought I have shared with a few people over the past year. We are often waiting for God to call … while all along all He expects of us is to do the work He has already given us to do — but to do it right!
In some ways, John’s message was a forerunner of Pastor Platt’s. Be prepared to repent, be ready to give your resources and your service to God … and never mind the style, it’s the message that matters!