We began our journey of talking about home as the place for which our heart is longing. Just as the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) eventually longed to return to his Father's house, our hearts are programed to long to be in God's house. We long for the joy and the peace that only God's home can provide. Last week we talked about how the journey home requires preparation. We must prepare our hearts to receive the good gifts that God has waiting for us. And that means recognizing, confessing and repenting of our sins. This week we again look at repentance and the incredible gifts that come after one repents.
This weeks passages are:
Luke 3:7-18
Zephaniah3:14-20
"You brood of vipers!" This is how John starts his sermon to the people. Reading this passage can feel a bit like a slap in the face. You think, "how dare you, John, call me a viper!!" John's harsh message of repentance can be hard to swallow. But, here's the interesting thing. You would think that a crazy man railing in the desert would be largely ignored by the people. Maybe you'd get a few people going to see this novelty, but you'd think that most people would get offended and leave. But they don't.
Instead, as the passage continues, we see that there are crowds around him, not just listening, but even more asking him for advice on how to live their lives. Even more, the crowds contain the hated tax collectors and soldiers. How is it that this crazy preacher with such a severe message attracts such a wide variety of followers?
I think, it comes because people know truth when they find it. These people knew they needed to repent and turn around and live a new life, and they were thrilled when someone was bold enough to confess it. The notes in my Study Bible say, "John's message emphasizes judgement, but even news of judgement can be good news if it brings people to genuine repentance and moral transformation."
The news of judgement brought people from every walk of life: peasants, tax collectors, soldiers. All were welcome to hear and receive this news. And even better, to those who receive it, they find the peace and joy that comes through repentance.
The JOY of repentance is found in the passage from Zechariah in which God rejoices and sings and gathers and renews the repentant Israelites. After the harsh punishment of exile, the people have repented and returned to God and now they find the welcome and joy that only God can give.
Questions to ponder...
How do you react to John's message of judgement and repentance?
Spend some time in prayer. Are there places in your life where you need to turn around and repent?
Can you imagine God rejoicing over you with singing?
As you walk through the call to repentance remember that God asks us to repent not to beat ourselves up with guilt, but so that we can be in relationship with God and realize that our God rejoices over us with singing! Praise be to God!!
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"This repentance, this faith, this peace, joy, love; this change from glory to glory, is what the wisdom of the world has voted to be madness, mere enthusiasm, utter distraction. But you, O child of God, regard them not: be moved by none of these things. ... See that no one take your crown. Whereunto you have already attained, hold fast, and follow, till you attain all the great and precious promises." John Wesley
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