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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
John arrives at the Jordan River, preaching a radical word which he has received from the living God. Why the JORDAN? This is where the People of God first entered into the Promised Land. This is how we now come into the Promises of God and start afresh. John’s message to those who came out to hear was - never mind what you have had - never mind what you have been, and what you have received from ME - start again. John’s work was to get the road straight and smooth; to demolish the high obstacles, and fill in the holes which could trip you up. John was like a spiritual bulldozer preparing the way for the coming of Jesus Christ.
He was a lonely voice in a dry desert. That is what life can be like until Jesus comes.
John appeared where it is dry - barren - dangerous – crooked, with this appealing call to the people to come back to God and start afresh.
As he preached his word cut people to the heart. He was more concerned about truth than holding onto the crowds, yet crowds travelled to hear this man. He did not go to them. John did not choose his ministry. His preaching convicted people of sin.
News of what was happening down at the Jordan reached the authorities in Jerusalem and they sent an investigation committee to find out what was actually going on.
Now, what is important is WHAT HE SAID and WHAT HE PREACHED.
Verse 7. He called those who came to hear him preach a ‘generation of vipers’. Have you just come to escape the horrors of hell? Have you just come to escape the coming judgment of God?
What a way for a man to treat a congregation of people who had made all that effort, travelling from all over Israel!
We may want to ask, “Lord God, - why did you not edit this out of your word, especially for those of us reading in these so-called modern times?” But God’s Word was burning in John’s bones, as it was with the prophet Jeremiah. John was more concerned about delivering the message, than keeping the crowds. He is a man of God with a work of GOD to do. I remember meeting a man (a “preacher”) a few years ago who told me he was just marking time until he could collect his pension.
Verse 8. We have the reaction of some people. We are Jews. We belong to Abraham. We are members of the synagogue. We regularly worship in the Temple, John.
That is all irrelevant and doesn’t matter. Do not rest on your religious pedigree. God is able to raise up new children from nowhere. God has no grandsons! Race doesn’t matter. Ritual doesn’t matter. Righteousness does!
Fearlessly John says that it is axe-ing time. Every tree that does not produce fruit will be cast down. That makes me want to produce fruit. A tree is judged by its fruit - not its roots. Is there fruit? I am not interested if you are linked to Abraham! What God is concerned about is righteousness and not race, or ritual. And, it is not just a lopping off of a few branches. It is much more serious and radical.
This was not and is not an easy message. It is a searing word, and it brought people under conviction. What is your reaction as you read and consider this passage of scripture?
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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