When I was young I lived in north-central Kansas. On the new roads (“new” at that time), it was common to see “road-cuts.” These were places where, in order to smooth out the highway, cuts were made into hills to allow the road to remain level. It fascinated me to see the strata of rocks, including fossils, that became exposed when the middle of the hill was cut away.

That often comes to my mind when I read the words of John the Baptist about making straight paths for the coming of the Lord (Matthew 3:3). The people were well aware of the demands made by the despots of the day. When the kings traveled, they expected the way to be as smooth and comfortable as the engineering of the time would allow. And so, especially for special or important processions, the way would be straightened and leveled out, including the adjustment of terrain. But in quoting from Isaiah 40, John is not speaking of engineering, but spiritual preparation.

In announcing the coming of God’s “sent” One, John calls the people to repentance. In the two texts in this week’s lesson, we learn several things about repentance.

THE GOAL
Repentance brings an end to the wasteland caused by sin in our lives. While John the Baptist preaches in a literal wasteland, so the message of repentance comes into the wasteland of people’s lives today. Sin always brings destruction, either to the one sinning, or to another person, or to the community as a whole. One does not need to observe human drama for long before seeing the devastation sin brings. Too many people’s lives are emotional, physical, relational, and spiritual wastelands. But repentance clears the way for times of refreshing to come to the wasteland.

Repentance is not the goal; it is simply preparation for the goal. John does not call the people to repentance for the sake of repentance. He calls them to repentance so their lives and hearts will be prepared to hear the message of the Messiah who is about to come. The goal is the reception of and obedience to the good news of redemption that is about to come.

We forget, sometimes, that repentance is not the goal. We want our cities, nation, and world to repent, to turn from evil ways. In the parable found in Matthew 12:43-45, a demon, after having been cast out, returns to find the house swept clean but still empty. Jesus says this demon will bring back seven of his brothers to refill the poor soul. He reminds us that our lives must be filled with and led by the Spirit of God. Repentance is a means to that end.

THE RESULT
Repentance is not a spectator sport. This is a presidential election year in the United States. I, and many others, go and hear national candidates when they come to our area. I don’t necessarily intend to vote for all these candidates; I simply want to see and hear the candidates people are talking about. I go, not intending to be convinced, but to see the spectacle and to hear the message that is the talk of the town.

Perhaps it is the same with the Pharisees and Sadducees. They are not interested in changing their lives. They want to see the celebrity of the moment. They want to hear the message, even if they consider John the “opposition.” They come perhaps as judges, both of John and those he is baptizing. They come, perhaps, with attitudes of arrogance and superiority.

But John will not let them be merely spectators. He points them out and calls them to repentance. Their lineage, their position, their knowledge will not save them from the coming wrath to be dealt out to those who do not repent.

Repentance must result in fruit. While repentance is only a preparation for the coming of the rule of God in our lives, fruit cannot wait until that rule arrives. True repentance results in changed lives . . . in destructive habits overcome . . . in poison tongues stilled . . . in honesty restored. Does fruit accompany repentance or follow later? The answer is . . . both! For repentance to be real, it must result in changes in our lives. But once God’s rule has come, further repentance and life changes will occur.

May we not think that repentance is for “others.” Repentance is a lifelong attitude that helps us deal with the wastelands in our own lives and prepares us for the next move that God wants to do in our hearts.

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* All Scripture quotations are from the New International Version, unless otherwise indicated.