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From Heaven With Love
corruption and rebuked the prevailing sins. His words were pointed
and convincing. The nation was stirred. Multitudes 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. Thus 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, publicans, and peasants came to
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hear the prophet. Many were brought to repentance 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 entertain a high opinion
of their piety; now the guilty secrets of their lives were unveiled. But
John was impressed that many of these men had no real conviction
of sin. They were timeservers. As friends of the prophet, they hoped
to find favor with the coming Prince. And by receiving baptism they
thought to strengthen their influence with the people.
John’s Sharp Rebuke to Hypocrites
John met them with the scathing inquiry, “You brood of vipers!
Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit that
befits repentance.” RSV. Because the Jews had separated themselves
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
flattered themselves that they were better than other men 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 for fulfilling His
purpose. He could call others to His service.
“And now,” said the prophet, “the ax 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.” If the fruit is worthless, the name
cannot save the tree from destruction. John declared to the Jews that