The Word

Mathew 3:1-12

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’” Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume 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. 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. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Reflect

By Anne Soens

Advent literally means “the arrival of a person or the beginning of an event.” Advent, for Christians, begins the four Sundays prior to Christmas, the coming of Jesus, the Messiah. That is, Advent is the season in which we anticipate the joyful celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

The Hebrew Bible contains many predictions of the coming of Messiah, from Genesis 3:15 through the prophesies of Isaiah and Malachi. Isaiah specifically tells of a herald announcing the coming of the kingdom of God.

During the Second Temple period (576 BCE-70 CE), in particular, the Jewish people hoped for a better future and the coming of a king to usher in in a new age. Many believed that Elijah would return to be king of Israel. That’s why Jews still pour a cup of wine for Elijah during the Passover seder. Serving Elijah at the seder symbolizes hope for redemption and the coming of the Messiah.

When John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, many believed that he fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3, heralding the approach of the kingdom of heaven (that is, of God), the coming of the Messiah.

John’s attire of camel’s hair and a leather belt called to mind Elijah, as described in 2 Kings 1:8. John’s diet of locusts and wild honey, like his garments, was that of an ascetic, again recalling Elijah. While there is some belief that the locusts were really carob pods, locusts were actually among the few insects that were not considered unclean (Leviticus 11:20-23).

From Isaiah and the other prophets, the Jewish people knew of the idea that someone would herald the coming of Messiah. Thus, it was not surprising that many from Jerusalem and Judea came to John to confess their sins and to be baptized in the Jordan River, seeking redemption.

Even some of the religious leaders, Pharisees and Sadducees, came to John to be baptized, but John refused them. John accused them of hypocrisy by relying on their descent from Moses rather than confessing their sins and truly repenting.

Because John was only the herald of the Messiah, not the Messiah himself, John told the people that the one coming was much greater than he was. John baptized with water but prophesied that the one to come would baptize with the Holy Spirit. The one coming would separate the wheat from the chaff on the threshing floor and the chaff would burn with unquenchable fire.

John called for repentance. He refused to baptize the religious leaders because he believed they were not truly repentant but instead relied on their ancestry for justification. John preached that the kingdom of heaven was coming and that this coming required true repentance.

During this season of Advent we can reflect on the meaning of repentance. We might think of Jesus’ instruction to a woman caught in adultery, John 7:53-58. Jesus told the woman to go and sin no more. That is, turn away from the sinful behavior.

Repentance is more than confessing our transgressions and receiving forgiveness. Repentance requires turning away from sinful behavior entirely. Repentance requires changing our behavior and/or attitudes.

John prepared the way of the Lord, prophesying that the kingdom of heaven was near. During this time of awaiting Jesus’ birth, may we reflect on the meaning of repentance as we anticipate the coming of Jesus, the Messiah, and the joy of Christmas.

Listen

By Dr. Ben Hutchens

“Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah,” written by Wayne L. Wold, is a contemporary Advent hymn that beautifully captures the season’s themes of anticipation and preparation. Structured around the lighting of the Advent wreath, each stanza marks a growing sense of expectancy as another candle is kindled. The text is intentionally simple and declarative, inviting singers of all ages to participate in the unfolding journey toward Christ’s coming. Its refrain-like strophic form mirrors the weekly rhythm of Advent worship, making the hymn especially fitting for congregations that incorporate candle lighting as a central liturgical action.

Musically, the tune, ancient Hebrew in origin, is gentle and lilting. This creates an atmosphere of quiet hope that suits the reflective character of early Advent. The melody rises subtly across phrases, symbolizing the increasing light that breaks into darkness as Christmas approaches. Combined with its accessible text, the hymn becomes both a teaching tool and a devotional practice, helping worshipers internalize the Advent message of watchfulness, repentance, and joyful expectation.