Take a Daily Inventory

Acts 2:37-41 (NIV)  When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"  Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."  With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."  Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

We all have those things we don't want to think about. We have memories of days when our behavior left something to be desired. In fact we may even recall things we would rather forget about completely. I think it is just such a moment the people Peter was addressing were feeling. Peter reminded them they had just crucified Jesus, their LORD and Christ. (Acts 2:36)

The reality of their deeds was sinking in and they were feeling guilt and fear wash over them. Their response was, "Brothers, what shall we do?" How can we make this wrong, right? Have you ever been there? Did you ever wake up one morning with a conscience so covered with guilt you just wanted to dig a hole and crawl in?

What a freeing moment it is when we learn God can make it right. How light our spirits can be once we hear the words, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins." These words must have made an impact on the crowd that day for about three thousand accepted the message and were baptized. Can I hear an AMEN?

Each one of us has the same opportunity. Each of us can hand over all our guilt and shame; we can turn from our sins and repent, knowing there is forgiveness. Imagine how good we will sleep when we regularly take an inventory of the day just lived, determine where mistakes were made and confess to God. Then when we wake in the morning we will awaken to a new day.

Acts 2:37-41

Matthew 3: 1-12

John The Baptist Prepares The Way

“John’s clothes were made of camel hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.”

The picture this paints for us is so sincere. Can’t you just envision the men, women and children journeying to this place of peace and hope? Not in a hurry like we are today, as they walked through the desert or rode on the backs of camels and donkeys. Not filled with anxiety about getting to work on time or earning enough money to cover the bills or purchase unnecessary toys. Filled only with the urgency of their hearts, to be forgiven and filled with the grace of God,……..they traveled.

Matthew uses thought provoking symbolism to paint us a picture of this scene. As John saw the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he had a message for them. It began with the phrase; “You brood of vipers!” He went on to inform them that; “One must produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” It is not just one act of dipping in the water that will make us sons of God, but true repentance and living a fruit bearing life. “The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

John then promises Jesus’ coming, as he speaks of one who is more powerful than he, one whose sandals he is not fit to carry. His words illustrate Jesus’ baptizing style as far more intense than his, as Jesus uses the Holy Spirit and fire to baptize. “His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

The term winnowing is defined as: examine something in order to remove the bad, the unusable or undesirable parts.

The message is clear. Seeking forgiveness and repenting is necessary, yet it is not the end, but the beginning. From this place, maintaining a sincere heart and bearing fruit for the Lord, we will be spared from the winnowing fork. Amen.

Read/Listen to Matthew 3: 1-12