Read Matthew 3:1-12 John the Baptist Prepares the Way
In today’s environment, there is a saying about speaking “truth to power.”
This usually refers to calling out the powerful when they abuse their position or those less fortunate.
In today’s reading, John the Baptist is out in the desert baptizing sinners when some of Israel’s Pharisees and Sadducees came by to watch and judge his actions. John does not hesitate to call them out for their hypocrisy! They were confident in their beliefs and decisions of faith because they were sons of Abraham! John confronts them about their attitude and warns them that the day of reckoning is coming and that God could raise up children of Abraham from stones. As you might imagine this did not sit well with them.
During Advent we are challenged. How do we prepare to meet Jesus? When have we acted like the Pharisees and stood confident in our stance that we were right? How can we humbly be reminded that we are all children of God and gifted with forgiveness no matter our sins?
Might I gently remind us all that Advent serves as a time to prepare our lives for service to him in his kingdom here on earth as we await that house not made with hands but eternal to the heavens! May it always be so!
Prayer: Father thank you for the your gift of grace and forgiveness. Help us to walk in humility and confidence in your promises. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
Marv Jones
This usually refers to calling out the powerful when they abuse their position or those less fortunate.
In today’s reading, John the Baptist is out in the desert baptizing sinners when some of Israel’s Pharisees and Sadducees came by to watch and judge his actions. John does not hesitate to call them out for their hypocrisy! They were confident in their beliefs and decisions of faith because they were sons of Abraham! John confronts them about their attitude and warns them that the day of reckoning is coming and that God could raise up children of Abraham from stones. As you might imagine this did not sit well with them.
During Advent we are challenged. How do we prepare to meet Jesus? When have we acted like the Pharisees and stood confident in our stance that we were right? How can we humbly be reminded that we are all children of God and gifted with forgiveness no matter our sins?
Might I gently remind us all that Advent serves as a time to prepare our lives for service to him in his kingdom here on earth as we await that house not made with hands but eternal to the heavens! May it always be so!
Prayer: Father thank you for the your gift of grace and forgiveness. Help us to walk in humility and confidence in your promises. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
Marv Jones
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