Prepare ye the way of the Lord! In today’s Bible reading from Matthew 3, we read about a rock star preacher named John the Baptist. Long hair. Cool clothes. Trendy diet. Outdoor venue. Standing Room Only. John the Baptist is a pivotal character in the Bible story, and one whose example and message we consider every year around this time, at least, those of us who observe the season of Advent in the church calendar. We are getting ready, after all. Ready for Christmas. Ready for Christ to come into our hearts. Ready for Christ to come again.

Today’s message reminds us that the coming of the kingdom of God is good news for everyone. That the Holy Spirit gathers and unites us in the waters of Baptism. And John the Baptist issues the challenge to bear good fruit AND burn the chaff. Let’s unpack all that as we open our Bibles to Matthew 3:1-12.

Matthew 3:1-12

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”

4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

This is the word of God. Sisters and brothers, grace to you, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

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