The Collect
O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings:
Psalm 26; 28
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+26%3B+28&version=KJV
Exodus 19:1–16
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+19%3A1%E2%80%9316&version=KJV
Gospel: Matthew 3:7–12
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Commentary:
“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism” (v. 7a) We might be surprised to read that these two groups came all the way out to the wilderness under the pretext to be baptized by John. However, as we can tell from the spirit of John’s address of these men, it was only a pretext—that of seeking baptism—that they came out there wherein their primary objective was to ascertain just who this wild man of the wilderness was and if he was a danger to their cult(s).
“The Pharisees were zealots for the ceremonies, for the power of the church, and the traditions of the elders; the Sadducees ran into the other extreme, and were little better than deists, denying the existence of spirits and a future state. It was strange that they came to John’s baptism, but their curiosity brought them to be hearers; and some of them, it is probable, submitted to be baptized, but it is certain that the generality of them did not; for Christ says (Lu. 7:29, 30), that when the publicans justified God, and were baptized of John, the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.” (Henry)
Matthew Poole pointed out four things about the Pharisees.
- They believed that one was made righteous by keeping the law, and they believed themselves to be righteous in this way.
- They often misinterpreted the law.
- They held many traditions to be of equal authority to Scripture.
- They were often hypocrites in their practice, neglecting the core and spirit of the law for aspects of outward observance.
Jesus often criticized the Pharisees for these four fallacies, and others.
“We are also surprised to see Pharisees and Sadducees lumped together. They represent very different viewpoints, and are often at odds with each other. Pharisees are known for their adherence to the law and resistance to pagan culture. Sadducees are more likely to be wealthy and friendly to the Romans. Sadducees dominate the priesthood, and most members of the Sanhedrin are Sadducees (Myers, 902). The Pharisees accept oral law and resurrection, both of which the Sadducees reject.” (Donovan)
“ he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (v. 7b) With colorful metaphor, John paints with a wide brush, a picture of diverse snakes fleeing a wildfire; a fire sure to cleanse the Earth of such vermin.
“The alarm he gives them is, Who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? This intimates that they were in danger of the wrath to come; and that their case was so nearly desperate, and their hearts so hardened in sin (the Pharisees by their parade of religion, and the Sadducees by their arguments against religion), that it was next to a miracle to effect anything hopeful among them. “What brings you hither? Who thought of seeing you here? What fright have you been put into, that you enquire after the kingdom of heaven?” (Henry)
I think it is safe to assume that the outward countenance of these men did not appear as if the were pertinent of heart, ready to beg God’s forgiveness, and ready to seek and learn how to enter into the kingdom of heaven. .Indeed this might have very well been the case as with his next breath John demands proof of their repentence; “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:” (v. 8) “You come here and thrust yourselves into a crowd of penitents, but this is not enough, true repentance is not a barren thing…you must bring forth the fruits of holiness, fruits that may answer the nature of true repentance.” (Poole)
In Christian theology, there is always a healthy tension between grace and works. John does not tell us that our works save us, but he does say that repentance produces good fruit.
“And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father” (v. 9a) At its core, the sin of Pharisees and Sadducees is presumption. They are among God’s chosen people—the religious elite—at the very apex of the religious pyramid. John warns that their Abrahamic connection will not save them.
“ It was widely taught in that day that Abraham’s merits were plenty for any Jew’s salvation and that a Jewish person couldn’t go to hell. John points out that these Pharisees and Sadducees are of a different family; they are a brood of vipers – meaning a family associated with serpents!” (Guzik)
“for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” (v. 9b)
“ In the Aramaic language, the words for “stones” (benayya) and “children” (abnayya) are similar, so John is using word play here. We can learn from him. The stylistic use of language can make preaching more memorable. Stylistic use of language is no substitute for faithful exposition, but it can make it easier to remember faithful exposition. The God who makes humans from the dust of the earth can create children of Abraham from the stones that litter the wilderness in abundance. God has already demonstrated this power by bringing forth Isaac from an old man and woman well past their childbearing years (Genesis 18:1-15).” (Donovan)
“And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” (v. 10)
“ How strict and short your trial is; Now the axe is carried before you, now it is laid to the root of the tree, now you are upon your good behavior, and are to be so but a while; now you are marked for ruin, and cannot avoid it but by a speedy and sincere repentance. Now you must expect that God will make quicker work with you by his judgments than he did formerly, and that they will begin at the house of God: “where God allows more means, he allows less time.” Behold, I come quickly. Now they were put upon their last trial; now or never.” (Henry)
Once again John’s sharpness of mind exposes itself as he delivers yet another colorful metaphor; that of an unproductive tree being pruned from the orchard.
“The picture is that of an ax that the owner has taken from the tool shed to cut down unproductive trees. His plan to take his ax to the tree is a final solution. There will be no turning back–no way to redeem the fallen trees. We can imagine the sadness with which the owner goes about this task, having planted the trees in great hope. We can imagine the alarm with which the trees regard the ax lying at their roots. What appeal will persuade the owner to spare them? Unfortunately, the time for action was yesterday, and it is now today!” (Donovan)
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (v. 11)
In verses 7-10, John was addressing the Pharisees and Sadducees, but now he is speaking to those who have come for baptism. It is not clear that John understands that Jesus is the one who is coming. Even late in his life, he will ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” (11:2).
“whose shoes I am not worthy to bear” John knows his own place in relationship to that of Jesus. He states that he is not worthy to even carry the shoes (sandals) of Jesus, and he did not consider himself too far above those whom he has called to repentance, and he knew where he stood in relation to Jesus instead of being full of false pride due to the crowds and the response he drew.
“he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire”
“ John performs a baptism of repentance—a beginning only. Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. We will see the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:38). Today some Christians distinguish between water baptism and baptism in the Holy Spirit, but that is not a Biblical distinction. Water baptism confers the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ baptism also serves as a refiner’s fire, removing (destroying—incinerating) impurities and leaving only that which is pure. By the time of the writing of this Gospel, the church has already experienced the reality of which John spoke (Acts 2). Christians are baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (28:19).” (Donovan)
“Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (v. 12)
“Observe here [1.] The visible church is Christ’s floor; O my threshing, and the corn of my floor, Isa. 21:10. The temple, a type of church, was built upon a threshing-floor. [2.] In this floor there is a mixture of wheat and chaff. True believers are as wheat, substantial, useful, and valuable; hypocrites are as chaff, light, and empty, useless and worthless, and carried about with every wind; these are now mixed, good and bad, under the same external profession; and in the same visible communion. [3.] There is a day coming when the floor shall be purged, and the wheat and chaff shall be separated. Something of this kind is often done in this world, when God calls his people out of Babylon, Rev. 18:4. But it is the day of the last judgment that will be the great winnowing, distinguishing day, which will infallibly determine concerning doctrines and works (1 Co. 3:13), and concerning persons (ch. 25:32, 33), when saints and sinners shall be parted for ever. ” (Henry)
Matthew writes how John uses a parable or similitude—as Jesus will do later on in the gospel—illustrating the final accounting by using an analogy of a farmer separating the wheat from the chaff then with the chaff littering the barn floor, it is cleanse with fire. The Jews of John’s day are divided regarding the fires of hell. Most think that the wicked will be quickly consumed, but John holds out the prospect that the agony of hell will be ongoing—an unquenchable fire.
Of course, those of us who have read this Gospel before, know all too well how the story ends. However one can wonder if any of these same men were involved in the persecution and crucifixion of Jesus, what will God do to them on that final judgment day?
Benediction
Give us, O Lord, steadfast hearts, which no unworthy thought can drag downward, unconquered hearts, which no tribulation can wear out, upright hearts, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thought for the Day:
We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.
Benjamin Franklin
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