{RE:} Repent and Bear Fruit

What happens when we truly repent? The psalm we read says that it gives us a new song, a fresh wind in our sails, and sets us out to tell others. Today we will reflect on a passage about repentance from John the Baptist's perspective!

I have included 2 translations again. Feel free to check out others as well!

Read: Matthew 3: 7-11

"But when he saw many Pharisees and Saducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourself, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham!
Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire!"
(NRSV)
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When John realized that a lot of Pharisees and Sadducees were showing up for a baptismal experience because it was becoming the popular thing to do, he exploded:
“Brood of snakes! What do you think you’re doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to make any difference? It’s your life that must change, not your skin! And don’t think you can pull rank by claiming Abraham as father. Being a descendant of Abraham is neither here nor there. Descendants of Abraham are a dime a dozen. What counts is your life. Is it green and flourishing? Because if it’s deadwood, it goes on the fire.
“I’m baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this drama—compared to him I’m a mere stagehand—will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He’s going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He’ll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he’ll put out with the trash to be burned.”
(Message Translation)


Reflect:

John the Baptist got people's attention as a "voice crying out in the wilderness." He was a prophet, and kind of strange if we're being honest. But the people had not heard from God in several generations, so when John shows up in the wilderness dressed in camel hair he gets people talking! Once he's drawn a crowd, including religious leaders, his message is quite simple: 1) Repent! and 2) Live like you've repented!

The result of repentance, beyond the fresh wind and new song, is a transformed life. John says to the Pharisees and Saducees that words of repentance that don't result in a changed like aren't worth anything.

This is why repentance isn't the same as confession or feeling badly for what we've done. Repentance - the word is "metanoia" - is transformation.

• Are there times when you are tempted to say the "right words" to people so that you look good?
• How often do we put on a mask or fake smile instead of moving in repentance?

John is pretty harsh with the Pharisees and Saducees. He specifically calls out that they might believe they are saved by their religious works and heritage (as sons of Abraham). John wants them to know that rituals and lineage are not able to save them. He is preparing them to recognize and receive Jesus as the Messiah.

• Have you ever thought about repentance as a way to prepare yourself to see, recognize, and experience Jesus? How can we live in regular repentance so that we can be more aware of Christ?

 
John does not call the people to bear fruit because their fruit will save them, but because their fruit are an outward evidence of inward transformation.  Jesus will later tell his disciples that they will be known by their fruit.

• The "fruit of our repentance" will draw others to Christ as we live kingdom lives. Have you ever had someone notice that you live or act differently as a result of your faith? What was it that they noticed? 
• Is there fruit that you want to continue to fertilize and grow in your life?  Begin with repentance by acknowledging your lack before God and turning in his direction!
• If you're looking for some exampled of "fruit worthy of repentance" - the people ask John the same thing in Luke's gospel. Check out John's answer in Luke 3:10-14

Respond:

Lord, grant me your peace,
for I have made peace
with what does not give peace
and I am afraid.

Drive me deep, now,
to face myself so I may see
that what I truly need to fear is
Lord, grant me your peace.

Instill in me such fear of you
as will begin to make me wise,
and such quiet courage
as will enable me to begin to make
From Guerillas of Grace: Prayers for the Battle, by Ted Loder.