URC Daily Devotion Thursday 16 October 2025
St Matthew 3: 1 – 11
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 axe 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.’
Reflection
John the Baptist is a stand out figure in the Gospels. Distinctive in dress, diet, and message. He pointed to the one who will reveal God in a new and vibrant way – God with us. John the Baptist was his own person, from a priestly family, both mum and dad. He was “righteous before God” just like his parents (Luke 1 v 6). This unexpected message to Zechariah was that a child would be born to them, filled with the Holy Spirit. It struck him dumb.
John’s role from God was to bring back the people to the Lord God. It is no surprise then that his message of repentance had an electrifying effect on many people; so much so that it brought the Pharisees and Sadducees out to listen to John for themselves. However, it is a clear warning to his hearers, “God calls you to repent, daily. No one is exempt!
Not even you! John links the religious leaders with a “brood of vipers”; making a direct connection to the capacity to deceive or misdirect from God’s light and love. All hearers are called to repent, without exception! This leaves the heart free to absorb Jesus’ words of salvation hope. The message of John is saying soften your hearts and get ready! God is coming to you, in Jesus, to baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Are you ready to repent, daily? Thus, preventing our complacency in faith.
Take John the Baptist as an example of a faith driven life; faithful to God’s message to repent and be baptised. So that the words of Jesus can live richly in our hearts and lives each day. Being righteous before God brings untold blessings and answered prayers. John was filled with the Holy Spirit; so are we! Let us give the message of God’s call to repentance high priority in our faithfulness.
Prayer
Loving Lord Jesus, fill us with your Holy Spirit
so that we can faithfully proclaim the messages
You call to share in our families, church families, communities and world.
Give us the confidence to trust that you hold everything in your love. Amen.