harvest

Luke  3:15-18 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, ‘I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.’  And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.”

As I focus this Advent on the anticipation of Jesus’ coming, I connect in a new way with those Jews who were so excited that the Messiah might actually have come. They were expectant, Luke says. They wondered if John was the one.

He wasn’t, and didn't pretend for a second. John acknowledged immediately that he wasn't even good enough to tie the Messiah’s shoes. John would baptize with water, but Jesus would bring the Holy Spirit for the saved and the fire for the damned. 

Luke calls this good news. Really? Repent or burn is good news? But if I consider that the ones with John were the ones longing for the Messiah, then it makes sense. The Messiah is coming! If you’ve been faithful to the covenant, you have nothing to worry about. If you haven’t but still believe, it isn’t too late – produce fruit in keeping with repentance. It’s only if you reject Jesus that there’s anything to fear. 

It’s a reminder I need. Some days I live faithfully. Some days I do OK – my focus is generally right, but I can lapse in certain specific circumstances. Some days I clearly disappoint Jesus. 

Like the crowds, the tax collectors, and the soldiers who asked John, “What then should we do?,” I need to ask that same question every day. How do I prove by my life that I repent – not just am fearful of consequences, but truly hate my sin? What will qualify me as wheat rather than chaff?

These are important questions, maybe the most important as I prepare for that day when Jesus comes again.

Watch and wait.