The crowds left the comfort of the city to walk through the wilderness to a lonely place by the Jordan River. They came in search of a man named John they thought might be the Christ, the king of the Jews. He was dressed in camel’s hair and spoke as a prophet of old.

They learned John was not the Christ. Not only that, but John said he was not even worthy to untie the sandals of the coming king, and they were shocked to hear they were not ready for him either. John chastised them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?” (Luke 3:7)

To be called a snake is a descriptive and offensive term. A snake is cunning, sly, and deceptive. John’s preaching must have opened the people’s eyes and finally convicted them of their sins. The Bible indicates that nearly all of Israel—except the religious leaders—repented and were baptized (Matthew 3:5; Luke 7:29, 30). The words John speaks are some of the strongest and most intolerant in the Bible.

Coming King
John told the crowds the Holy Spirit would be given by the king. They may have wondered if the coming king would be like King David, who had won great battles. Or perhaps he would be like one of the judges who had exercised great power. Still others might be expecting a latter-day prophet, who would reclaim the truth in power.

But John makes clear that the coming king would be unlike any other. This king would baptize—immerse—them in the Holy Spirit. This was far beyond what they could have hoped for. Then John tells them the king will also baptize with fire (v. 16). I believe this fire is a punishment for not repenting. The people had already been told that a tree that will not produce fruit will be “thrown into the fire” (v. 9).

Rebellion and sin that accompanies it is beyond any description on earth, even that of a deadly viper. Sin separates us from our king, divides our loyalties, and crushes our hope. We need to see sin as God sees it. He hates sin and will not spend eternity with it.

Producing Repentance
John’s preaching produced repentance. When a person repents, he is led to do good. Good works, or fruit, are acts of kindness, righteousness, and justice. Act kindly, John instructs his listeners, telling them to give away their extra clothes (v. 11). Clothes are expensive in John’s time and are considered to be riches.

We are to actively look for ways to help others. If your faith is not affecting your pocketbook, it is probably not affecting your salvation.

John tells the tax collectors to take no more than is required. The tax collectors are the well-paid sinners of their time. They get rich by overtaxing others.

Do you take more than what is required in your business dealings, and does it hurt others? You probably are not a tax collector, but like them you receive blessings from other’s hard work. Be thankful and treat others with respect.

John also speaks to soldiers who extort Jews for money. A soldier’s true job is to dispense justice and guard justice. In our time, many people consider judging a sin. But part of repentance is judging rightly, and doing this helps others.

If you see your sin as God sees it, repent and then help someone else. It is remarkable how helping others can free us from drowning in our own problems.

I don’t know what fruitful work God wants you to do. You can be sure your king has prepared a work for you. Now are you ready for your king?

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