Your Status Can't Save You | Matthew 3:1-12

Sorry to break it to you

Author

Caleb Lee
January 06, 2024

Repentance is a funny word. It invokes a lot of emotions. Resistance, mostly.

It requires an acknowledgment of our need for forgiveness. And most people don’t like to acknowledge that because we’re prideful.

But the truth is, all of us need forgiveness. The family you were born into, the status that you have, the money, the fame — all of it means nothing in the sight of God.

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3  For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
 make his paths straight.’”

4  Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5  Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6  and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

7  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8  Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9  And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10  Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11  “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier 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 and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Matthew 3:1-12

Now this isn’t the easiest passage to read, and rightfully so! John is calling out the religious leaders of his day for being hypocritical, for relying too much on their status, and for not truly believing in the Scripture that they teach.

What a blow to their ego.

This man who lived in the wilderness and lived what many regarded as a savage lifestyle was calling out the powerful and influential religious leaders.

And what a warning he gave!

A warning that still applies to the church today, not only for the leaders of the churches but for all who believe in Christ.

We cannot rely on our heritage, status, money, fame, etc., and expect it to save us. And we most definitely shouldn’t use those things as a means of looking down and judging others.

We all need to repent. To trust in Christ as Lord.

And when we truly understand what that means, the world becomes a better place. A less hypocritical, less judgemental place. Because we all recognize our depravity and the undeniable need for a Savior.

Have a blessed Saturday my friends.

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