Matthew 3 ~ Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance

Matthew 3 ~ (Revised Standard Version)


In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea (and) saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"

It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: "A voice of one crying out in the desert, 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.'"

John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.

And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?"

Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him.

After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and) coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."


CNN has lately run segments asking shoppers to be more courteous of each other. They even quoted, "it is better to give than receive." They suggested when dealing with rude people, consider giving the parking space stolen from you as a gift to an unknown, harassed person. A Christmas gift given to an anonymous person.

Why are people unkind during the High Holy Days? They've heard this is the best season of all, and feel so undernourished, unloved and pressed themselves to give these attributes to others. It's best to realize what is unseen is permanent. We live in the world stressing worldly values, but it is the eternal that makes life meaningful.

Jesus, as the Son of God, was baptized by John. Jesus sought out John. In Jesus Christ, the words, " This is my beloved Child, with whom I am well pleased" apply to us. Forever.


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