1 At that time John the Baptist came to the desert of Judea and started preaching. 2 “Turn away from your sins,” he said, “because the Kingdom of Heaven is near!” 3 John was the man the prophet Isaiah was talking about when he said: “Someone is shouting in the desert, ‘Prepare a road for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!’” 4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair; he wore a leather belt round his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People came to him from Jerusalem, from the whole province of Judea, and from all the country near the river Jordan. 6 They confessed their sins, and he baptised them in the Jordan. 7 When John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him to be baptised, he said to them, “You snakes – who told you that you could escape from the punishment God is about to send? 8 Do those things that will show that you have turned from your sins. 9 And don’t think you can escape punishment by saying that Abraham is your ancestor. I tell you that God can take these stones and make descendants for Abraham! 10 The axe is ready to cut down the trees at the roots; every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire. 11 I baptise you with water to show that you have repented, but the one who will come after me will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. He is much greater than I am; and I am not good enough even to carry his sandals. 12 He has his winnowing shovel with him to thresh out all the grain. He will gather his wheat into his barn, but he will burn the chaff in a fire that never goes out.”
Other readings: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Romans 15:4-9
LECTIO
The whole purpose of Advent is laid out before us in the second verse of today’s Gospel reading: turn away from your sins because the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew’s usual expression for the Kingdom of God) is near. John’s message repeats Jesus’s warning in last week’s Gospel message: make sure you are ready for the return of the King.
Matthew uses four powerful images – a road, water, an axe and fire – to remind us that while God’s kingdom offers salvation and deliverance it also brings judgment and division.
This is where Matthew introduces John the Baptist to his readers and he emphasises his significance straight away. First, he identifies him as the person sent to prepare the way for the long-awaited Messiah (Isaiah 40:3). Next, by describing John’s clothing, he draws a comparison with one of Israel’s greatest prophets, Elijah (2 Kings 1:8). The significance of baptising people in the Jordan river would not have been missed either; a thousand years earlier Joshua had miraculously led their ancestors through the Jordan to inherit the Promised Land.
John’s message touched a nerve. People came in droves and repented. John’s stern rebuke for the Pharisees and Sadducees makes it clear that he wasn’t interested in an outward show of repentance. God is looking for genuine repentance that leads to changed lives – only this is worthy of the King. Relying on their spiritual pedigree as the sons of Abraham wasn’t good enough.
And John was clear, right from the outset, about where his ministry ended and the Messiah took over.
MEDITATIO
How would you explain the difference between the ministries of John and Jesus? What aspects of your life does God’s grace cover?
What is the “good fruit” that we should expect to see in our lives as Christians?
ORATIO
John called for repentance and a turning towards God. What is God saying to you now?
CONTEMPLATIO
John was preparing the way for Jesus and pointing people towards him. We are called to do this as well – Jesus has made us fishers of men. What practical steps can you take during Advent to prepare yourself and others for the Messiah’s rule?
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