Bold Messengers Matthew 3:7-10
The message of John the Baptist is clear and bold
John the Baptist, a bold messenger of God who preached about repentance, forgiveness of sin, and salvation.
This website and the ideas therein are created by the Author and creator of Creative Journey, by continuing to use this website and the contents therein you agree to the terms of use that can be found in more detail in our disclaimer page here.Matthew 3:7-10
In the previous post, we discussed Matthew 3:1-6. If you have not read it yet, I encourage you to do so and come back to this continued discussion of this chapter.
A quick recap, we read and talked about John the Baptist, now let’s continue at verse 7 where John notices he has a new crowd of visitors…
John the Baptist’s message is clear and not “sugar coating” anything. The truth can be brutal, but without truth, we wouldn’t have the knowledge to repent from wrongdoing, what we know as sin. John doesn’t want to lead anyone astray, he is there as a messenger to give a clear warning of repentance. This goes for us in our current day.
In my opinion, the Church has begun to lose its zeal, the one that speaks of fire and brimstone, to repent and turn to God, those old-time preachers are the ones I envision when I think of John the Baptist.
Unfortunately, today, many have become soothsayers who don’t want to hurt feelings or step on anyone’s toes. Even if it’s not a popular way to preach, this is what works. How would one know if they are doing wrong unless a bold, God fearing, led messenger preaches the truth of the living word of God?
The truth is not pretty; it hurts, just plain and simple.
Why is this?
We are generally a prideful society; we don’t like the idea of being told we have done wrong, but it’s not the messenger that is telling us, it’s the Holy Spirit convicting us and tugging on our heart in confirmation that we have sinned. He lets us know what our sins are and to repent and ask forgiveness for them.
This will be one of those things that we will need to be in constant repentance for as long as we are present on this earth. Sadly, our world is saturated with sin and temptation everywhere we go.
But we have hope!
It’s the strength we find through God, the Holy Spirit, to help guide and lead us in the right direction, to keep us on track. The Holy Spirit is also known as the Comforter, He is God, He is the Spirit of God that through Jesus Christ we can have with us in every moment of the day.
You know that tugging or that thing we like to call the ‘small voice’ or our conscience? It’s quiet and soft, it never yells, but that is the Holy Spirit communicating with you. He gives you that instinct if something is off. Often, sadly, we stay so caught up in our thoughts and agendas of to-dos throughout the day, we miss that still, calm voice trying to communicate with us.
We can pray and ask God to help us be more sensitive to His voice and to listen more. When we ask for things in prayer, we are asking God to help us be closer to Him, He will help us, just need to ask!
Now let’s look at the verses for today’s topic, shall we?
Matthew 3:7-10
“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.”
Let’s stop and look at a few things within these verses…
Verse 7 mentions these two groups called Pharisees and Sadducees, these are two groups that were rebuked by Jesus and were labeled to be hypocrites.
Verse 8 John refers to them as ‘generation of vipers’, and he asks who has warned them to flee from wrath? I see this as a way for John to simply call these groups of people out on their hypocrisy, and ask genuinely, Why are you here? John isn’t one to reject anyone to the truth of repentance, but it would seem these groups were not there to repent, but in my opinion, to be nosy. He didn’t want them to go unnoticed, and if they were there to hear the truth about repentance and forgiveness of sin, he asked them to bring forth their fruit, in other words, their proof of sincerity. Their honesty in truly asking for repentance.
Verse 9 says, “not to say within yourselves, we have Abraham to our father.” This is John explaining to everyone not to use another person, such as Abraham, as a means of repentance and salvation based on Abraham.
The grace, faithfulness, or salvation of one does not apply the same to another person just based on their lineage. We are judged by God as individuals and must care accordingly.
John says that the stones can be raised up children unto Abraham, so he is simply saying, just because you claim Abraham as your father by lineage, this does not give them any special pardons that would cause them to be exempt from repentance.
Verse 10 The trees are representing people, and those who know the truth and have not produced good fruit (repentance and spreading of the gospel message) will be hewn down and cast into the fire.
So John is warning them, they are not exempt, they are held accountable just like everyone else, repent unto salvation or be cast into the lake of fire.
Taking a closer look…
This is where I get the sense that John the Baptist is a bold messenger of God who holds no apologies. Salvation is for everyone, the rich or poor, no matter their societal status.
There is nothing we can possess of this earth that can be used to purchase salvation or any amount of ‘works’ that can be done.
Simple as repentance, acknowledge who God is, our Creator, Omniscient heavenly Father, Jesus, His only begotten Son, and the Holy Spirit, also known as the Holy Trinity- Three in One.
Religion tries to complicate it, society tries to glamorize it, but it’s simple, God made it simple; it’s a gift that we either receive or reject.
True love and sacrifice, that He made a way for us, even knowing what horrible sinners we would be, He still died on the cross of Calvary to pay for our sins, He took your and my place to pay the debt of sin we owe.
If you are curious to have a deeper understanding of salvation and want to learn more, please read this post...The Roman Road of Salvation. I have laid out a road map of scriptures that are simple to follow and explain salvation. I encourage you to highlight and save them to study and share with others.
Let’s look at a few more verses to complete today’s bible study…
Matthew 3:11-12
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he shall 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 thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
John is telling us that he is baptizing with water, which is a resemblance of cleansing, an outward act to show they have repented of their sins.
We know water won’t reach the inner parts of our soul; the soul is what needs purification.
John was the forerunner to preach the coming of Jesus. Baptism is a resemblance of being submerged in water (fully), which is a depiction of Jesus dying, and when brought out of the water, is of Jesus’ resurrection.
The body is made of dust of this earth, our flesh will not live eternally, but our souls are already eternal. Therefore, we have a choice: being born into sin, we are not eternally damned, by repenting and accepting the gift of salvation, we have eternal life with God through Jesus Christ.
If we choose to reject His gift, then that individual will die in their sins and will be brought to the lake of fire that was meant for satan and the fallen angels. God does not send anyone to hell, it is a choice. Sadly, it’s an eternal choice that, after one’s last breath is taken, there is no more chance.
Thank you for visiting. I hope you have enjoyed these small discussions as we take a look at each chapter or event throughout the Bible. I enjoy studying the bible and each time I reread it, I always find something knew and enlightening. Don’t forget to subscribe to get notifications of newly released devotional studies that will give you direct access.
Before you leave, let’s have a closing word of prayer together…
Heavenly Father,
We come to You today, asking to humbly forgive us of our sins, make known to sins that we are unaware of that are unpleasing to You. May You continue to guide us in Your light, help us to be bold messengers of the gospel, may we take this study and reflect on it in our lives each day, to be a light in a dark world. I ask that You continue to guide and direct me as I continue to be a messenger through these bible studies, may Your words, Father, be heard more than my own. I thank you for the opportunity to reach others and make new friends along the way. May You bless my friends and visitors that they will continue to seek Your wisdom through studying Your Word. We ask this in Christ’s Holy name, Amen.
Don’t miss the next bible study! Some Bible studies may take longer than others to get through, as I am led to explain in greater detail the verses that we come across. These blog posts are not created by AI or used with any AI-generated assistance. These comments are of my own and where God leads me to write. I am not a professional, just a southern wife, mother of four, and I have a desire to spread the truth of our loving Heavenly Father. I want you to know, He loves you and He desires to have a relationship with you. We are not expected to be perfect, but we are expected to be lead by God and I feel that He has given me so much to share, I am not here for the fame or glory, but to get the message of Gods’ Love out to you, my new friend and so many others.God be with you!
