Preparation

Introduction

Spring cleaning can take place anytime, not just in early spring. Some clean out closets and cabinets on a regular basis. For others, we have to move in order to clean things out. I heard someone suggest that we should all move every five years or so in order to clean out the junk. There is enough truth in that thought to be scary. I admire those who can quickly and efficiently discern what needs to be kept and what needs to be either thrown out or shared. I appreciate those who keep their accumulation of things to a minimum. Being able to discern what to keep and what to get rid of is commendable.

Several years ago when we were selling a house, our real estate agent told us how important it was to keep the house as if no one lived in it. So every morning before we left for the day, beds were made, dishes put away, floors swept, bathrooms wiped down—all in anticipation of someone coming to look at the house to see if they wanted to buy it. I suspect others have had a similar experience in trying to sell a house. My grandmother lived in fear that she would die and someone would come into her house and see that it was dirty. I’m not sure how embarrassed a dead person can be but it certainly motivated her to keep things tidy.

Several years ago our next door neighbor was moved into a nursing home. The family decided to have an estate sale. Years of accumulated and forgotten things were brought out for everyone to see and buy. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. But my guess is that my neighbor would have chosen to give some things away, but that choice was not his to make at that point.

In our text, John is commissioned to prepare the way for Jesus. As God’s prophet he speaks on behalf of God and turns people’s minds to the change that is coming. He gets them ready for God’s entrance into this world. And some respond, but not without making changes as well. God is going to change the world and John’s call is for people in response to change as well. May we hear John’s words again.

A Prophet

John’s message is not difficult to understand. God is going to do something special. God is going to bring salvation. At John’s time, the Jewish world was in chaos. Rome had been ruling in the area for almost a century. The local “kings” were nothing more than Rome’s puppets. Even the local religious leaders were cooperating with the Roman authorities. What were the common people to do? Where would they turn? They were anticipating God doing something. They knew their history. They knew God had started with Abraham. They knew God had delivered his people from Egypt. They knew that God had promised a Messiah. Times couldn’t get much worse and the people were waiting for God to intervene.

John’s message was that God was going to intervene. And John called on the people to get ready. They needed to repent. He preached about repentance and called on people to demonstrate their commitment to repentance through baptism. It was a baptism of forgiveness but it wasn’t a baptism in the name of Jesus. It was instead a baptism signifying commitment to the plan of God.

John’s message was powerful. So powerful that the people thought that John was the Messiah. But John pointed people to the one that was to come after him. The one who would come with the power of the Holy Spirit and with real judgment. Quite different from the image that we often have of Jesus. John left no doubt that Jesus’ role was to separate those who belong to God and those who do not. He came to tell of God’s desire to be in relationship with his creation. But he also came to judge.

Lessons

John’s message called for change. He foretold that God was going to bring about change and in preparation for that change, people needed to change their lives as well. This change is called repentance. It means a change of mind as well as action. Repentance means that a person changes the way he or she thinks. But with the change in thinking comes a change in action. Just as we prepare our house for selling; just as we prepare for guests; just as we decide what to keep and what to share; we prepare for the coming of the Lord.

John’s message has not changed—only the timing has changed. Jesus was coming to announce God’s salvation. When Jesus comes again he will announce God’s final judgment. But we still prepare for his return. And that preparation includes repentance. It includes a changed heart and mind which leads to right action.

John’s call for repentance did not take a committee meeting. Committees are important and proper for their purpose. But we do not need a committee to help us discover repentance. Repentance calls for action. Feed the poor. Clothe those who do not have sufficient clothes. Be content without seeking more. Quit complaining about your pay and learn to live on what you make. Speak out against injustice.

John helps us to see, however, that some approach repentance by leading with their heritage. In verse eight, some hold out their connection to Abraham to demonstrate that they really do not need to change. Such is not true. Every person has to respond to God’s call. No one can claim that their attendance in a church building almost since birth is proof of following God. Only real repentance makes that point and every person must repent.

Sooner or later someone is going to go through your things. The wise person cleans out beforehand. The wise person gives things away to others so that they can enjoy them. The wise person prepares. Jesus is coming. The wise person prepares for his return when he will come with God’s final judgment. Repent.

Follow Jesus

If you’d like to respond to this message or learn more about following Jesus, please reach out.