“John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:7)

Hearing these words from John would appear he was very harsh towards his hearers. No, he wasn’t. The phrase “brood of vipers” depicts a ‘poisonous deceptive people.’ This reminds us about the devil in the garden of Eden whose poisonous action deceived man. Actions can be poisonous (Hebrews 12:15) or life-giving (Matthew 5:14-16). At John's words, three sets of people asked him questions and we’ll see one today: the crowd. They asked: “What should we do then?” (Luke 3:10). To this John replied: “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same” (John 3:11). Compassion. These people had no care about the concerns of others. Hebrews 13:16 says: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” One version says “Do not forget to do good…”

In Galatians 2, after Paul’s ministry was commended by the other apostles, he said they gave him this charge: “All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.” Jesus, our prime example said: “Come, you who are blessed by My Father… For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat… I was naked and you clothed Me…” (Matthew 25). So, let’s keep looking out not only for our interests but those of others too (Galatians 6). God is pleased with such sacrifices.

#goodmorning 🌷

BeEncouraged❤️ Freely received. Freely shared