Matthew 3:1-12 is a challenging Gospel to write about. Yes, the theological content can be difficult, and the words of John the Baptist should be challenging, but I am not talking about these challenges.
What other challenge could there be? The challenge of familiarity. As I read Matthew's account of the preaching of John the Baptist, I already know this story and what it is about. It is not a challenge unique to this passage of scripture. In fact, most of the stories we reflect on in the advent season are stories we think we know. With that in mind, this is where I want to start this week's reflection.
Every time we encounter the Gospel or any scripture, we encounter the Living God. We step into His revelation. And this is a critical point. The Bible, though written in a historical context, is not just an account of things that happened or things God said. No. The Church teaches that the Bible is not what God said but what he is saying. If that is true, then every time I open the Word, I can do so with the expectancy that God is revealed. And the truth is, there is always more to being revealed.
There is a danger in familiarity. It can cause us to think we know God's words rather than come to scripture to ask God what he wants to say. As we travel through Advent and Christmas, consider. Are you listening for what God wants to speak into your life in this moment, or are you listening to comfortable, familiar stories?
So, back to the actual Gospel of Matthew. There is a lot to preach about in Matthew 3:1-12. And my familiar, comfortable desire is to speak about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I love when John says, "He will baptize you with fire and the Holy Spirit." I love to write about it. I love to hear it. But this time, as I read through the words of the Gospel, I had to admit I was not reading them. I was replaying what I had read, so I stopped, and slowly, more prayerfully, I asked God what else he might want me to see. And as I read, the Word jumped off the page.
“Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
So this is the second part of our reflection. Faith in Christ is more than theoretical. Jesus changes us, and that changes our reality. If we live in Him, guided by the Spirit, there is an expectancy that there will be fruit.
What is Good fruit? It is lives changed. It is hearts turned to God. It is comfort for the poor and the afflicted. It is revival in our communities. It is faith handed down from generation to generation. It is healings. It is signs and wonders. In short, the world is different because you were in it and Christ was in you.
This weekend I had the honor of leading a parish advent mission. My host was a wonderful, sincere, all-in-believer. She encountered the Living God five years ago on a retreat. She went an atheist and returned as a convert. Upon returning, she entered the Church as soon as possible. Her husband followed shortly after. Filled with zeal for the Lord, she began to serve in ministries, and so did her husband. Within a matter of years, her son, who had been watching it all, came home from college and said to his parents, "I want what you have." and he was received into the Church. He married a faithful woman, and they are raising a family in the new covenant.
That is fruit. Lives changed.
We are all called to bear fruit. And what is beautiful about this is God is the one who does the work. We give our lives to him. We give him permission to move, and he does. This is critical because our work for Him won't bear fruit. His will for us, on the other hand, when we allow His will to reign, the fruit is inevitable. So be challenged. Is there fruit? If not, ask the Lord why? And give him permission to move.