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Voice in the Wilderness
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upon them. With the spirit and power of Elijah, John denounced the
national corruption and rebuked the prevailing sins. His words were
pointed and convincing. The nation was stirred. Crowds flocked to
the wilderness.
John called the people to repentance. As a symbol of cleansing
from sin, he baptized them in the waters of the Jordan. By doing so,
he declared that those who claimed to be the chosen people of God
were defiled by sin. Without purification of heart, they could have
no part in the Messiah’s kingdom.
Princes and rabbis, soldiers, tax collectors, and peasants came to
hear the prophet. Many repented and received baptism in order to
participate in the kingdom he announced.
Many scribes and Pharisees came confessing their sins and ask-
ing for baptism. They had led the people to hold a high opinion of
their piety, but now the guilty secrets of their lives were unveiled.
But John was impressed that many of these men had no real convic-
tion of sin. They were following their own self-interest. As friends
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of the prophet, they hoped to find favor with the coming Prince.
And by receiving baptism, they thought they would strengthen their
influence with the people.
John’s Sharp Rebuke to Hypocrites
John met them with the scathing question, “Brood of vipers!
Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear
fruits worthy of repentance.” Because the Jews had separated them-
selves from God, they were suffering under His judgments. This
was the cause of their bondage to a heathen nation. Because in times
past the Lord had shown them great favor, they excused their sins.
They deceived themselves into thinking that they were better than
others and entitled to His blessings.
John declared to the teachers of Israel that their pride, selfishness,
and cruelty showed them to be a deadly curse to the people. In view
of the light they had received from God, they were even worse than
the heathen. God was not dependent on them to fulfill His plans. He
could call others to His service.
“Even now,” said the prophet, “the ax is laid to the root of the
trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut