Here is the first reading for our 40 days of community bible reading experience. I am sending it out a day early in case any of you have some challenges getting this to work for you. Let the conversations begin....
Matthew 3:1-12
[3:1] In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea [2] and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” [3] This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the desert,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”*
[4] John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. [5] People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. [6] Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
[7] But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? [8] Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. [9] And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. [10] The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
[11] “I baptize you with* water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. [12] His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Remember to look at the questions at the top of the page and share any thoughts with the community that you have about the Kingdom of Heaven.
[3:1] In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea [2] and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” [3] This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the desert,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”*
[4] John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. [5] People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. [6] Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
[7] But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? [8] Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. [9] And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. [10] The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
[11] “I baptize you with* water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. [12] His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Remember to look at the questions at the top of the page and share any thoughts with the community that you have about the Kingdom of Heaven.
I wonder if we could simply substitute "Jesus" for "Kingdom of Heaven?" When John said the Kingdom is near, he could just as easily said that Jesus is near. So, my big reveal from today's reading is that Jesus embodies the Kingdom. To really know Him is to know what the Kingdom is all about.
ReplyDeleteWe did this as a family tonight. I feel the Holy Spirit led us to see what the fruit of repentance looked like in our lives, and how we needed to allow Him to produce greater fruit in us. My thought is that people will see the Kingdom of Heaven within us more and more as we allow Him to make more and more changes in our lives!
ReplyDeleteWell said Fred.
DeleteI believe that %100 Fred. To most people we are the only reflection of God they will see. Lord help us to be true and authentic Christians that draw people to you. Helps us to live in a way that reflects all the gifts you give to those that serve you. Your Grace and Guidance is like no other, Amen! Cindy Boudreau
ReplyDelete"To change ones way of life by a complete changing of ones thoughts and attitudes about sin and righteousness"
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting that we at times forget that repent has more than one meaning. Often we today in the church use the sorrow meaning, but in verse 11 it is about how we think.
Sometimes we will never find the sorrow of repentance because of how we think. Same goes here. If we don't change how we think, we likely never see or experience the Kingdom as God wants us to.