This past week Wanda and I were watched a “Barbara Walters’ Special” about the ten most fascinating people this year of 2006. As we watched it for a while, seeing all the glamorous people, mostly in music or Hollywood, Wanda commented that Barbara Walter’s ten most fascinating people stood in contrast for those Oprah Winfrey had chosen. Oprah Winfrey’s selection were hero’s of another nature…they were people who had affected the lives of others by their own leadership and sacrifice…such as a business man who, after seeing the plight of single mothers in Africa, decided that he would loan money to them to start their own business, and also assisting them in the systems of marketing. In fact, he, and a couple of the other “favorites” of Winfrey had won the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts of kindness. There were no Nobel Peace Prize winners in the Barbara Walters’ Special.
As Wanda explained the difference, since I had not seen the Oprah show, I realized that each of us holds within us the ability to be motivated to do something great in life by different reasons. Some of us are in awe about the beauty and success of people, almost wishing that we could be like them…while others are motivated “to go and do likewise” by those who demonstrate real compassion and love for others. Those people bring us a different definition to beauty and success.
As John the Baptist was fulfilling his calling of preparing the hearts and minds of people of his day, there were those who came before him who were the religious leaders and society’s intellectuals of his day. As John addressed them it would appear that John had missed the course on, “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” His first words were: “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”
No, John was not interested in winning friends, but he was sure interested in influencing people. His style was rough and to the point. He made no pretensions about excusing the motivation behind each person’s behavior. Instead he spoke truth in ways that cut to the heart. It was the heart that he wanted to change, because in his mind, a changed heart changes life. If he were to prepare the hearts of men and women to receive the coming Messiah, then the proof would be found, not only with words, but in one’s actions.
Maybe, the beautiful part of scripture is that scriptures relates to a different era of life, yet the principles never change. That is why we Methodists count Scripture first and foremost as the basis for our faith. So, as we go through this season of Advent this year, aren’t we about the mood of preparation? Aren’t we thinking about making room in our lives for the Christ who beckons us toward a life of discipleship? Yes, John’s words certainly speak to us today.
An important teaching that we have in this passage is this:
• Religion unto itself does not have the power to change the heart.
Here are the words of John: [8] Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. [9] Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."
Repentance then, is the first step of preparation. Repentance takes down the facades of veiled excuses. Just as John stated that day that simply being the “children of Abraham” did not prepare their hearts to receive the Christ, neither can our claim of Christianity “as a religion” be the means alone to change the heart. Only repentance can do that!
But what does it mean…to repent? We know that was John’s message…but does it really apply to us today, 2000 years later? The answer is, yes! The Greek word for “repentance” is metanoia…meaning, having a change of knowledge, or a change in direction.
Many people decide to change their lives…to do something different with their lives than the direction they are current taking. But before they make that decision, some knowledge has to be gained – they learn that their health practices are putting their lives in peril…or maybe they are inspired by greatness…or maybe they are inspired by compassion that is displayed before them. Regardless…knowledge is necessary for change.
The people asked John, “What shall we do?” It was then that John gave them several examples of repentance…important knowledge that would give them the ability to both understand and receive the Christ who was to come. Here is what John told them…
11] In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." [12] Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?" [13] He said to them, "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you." [14] Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what should we do?" He said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages."
Repentance is the first step in our preparation, which brings us to the second point:
• Repentance will always be seen in a changed life.
And further – a changed life changes the lives of others.
If we look closely at the examples of repentance that John gives us in this passage, we would all agree that John is addressing the greatest temptation that confronts every person – selfishness!
Children at an early age struggle with selfishness and must be taught otherwise. Selfishness centers upon self in such a way that we become one’s first and foremost idol. Selfishness places barriers between others and us. When selfishness is the center of corporate evil…it is what causes people to turn their heads at the loss of many for the gain of a few. And selfishness on a political level, enables us to support laws that favor the rich while these laws are duly unfair to the poor.
I received a fact sheet this week from the NC Council of churches and discovered some penetrating news. For instance, in a year when
our stocks are up, the gap between those who are benefiting from this gain has created the largest gap in history between the richest 20% of our citizens and the poorest 20%. NC is ranked the 10th worst state in economic disparity of all 50 states.
Also, there are 1.3 million children and adults of our state that are without insurance?
And those who make minimum wage in our state, especially if they are supporting at least one child in the home, cannot afford to provide adequate food and shelter for themselves.
Do John’s words have any application to our world today? Would we ever in a lifetime believe that we would support causes that would elevate the status of the poor especially if it caused us to have less?
If we believe that John’s words do in fact apply, then the system applies – we can’t stand behind the façade of religion. Instead we need to repent.. for repentance changes our lives, and a changed life changes the lives of others.
Can we catch a vision of John’s predictions?
“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. [17] His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
[18] So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.
In other words – Good news is this – a changed heart changes life.
I would like to close this message by looking at a series of slides that make give us a heart and an opportunity for action, as God opens the door for us to affect the lives of others.
(See Power Point – Christmas Blessings 06 – with music)
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