John the Baptist Preaching to the Crowd by the Riverby pastor_malcolm
3:10Luke 3:10
And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
The question, What shall we do then, was drawn out by conviction of sin under plain, direct preaching that brought a sense of sin and a desire to respond, reaching people from every class and of many stations and abilities who trusted straightforward words. That preaching was the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, demanding works worthy of repentance under warning of coming wrath and judgment. It belonged to the message given for John's day, and is to be studied to advantage by workers now. Convicted by the warning of judgment and the call to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, the people asked what practical action repentance required of them. Their inquiry stands as the model of sincerely seeking practical direction about right living and moral purity.
The answer made repentance practical by requiring those with extra clothing or food to share with those who have none. Beyond that general duty, it gave specific ethical changes suited to each person's conduct and occupation. Publicans must take no more than was appointed and deal honestly, stopping dishonest or oppressive collection. No one is to act violently or falsely accuse anyone, and all are to be content with wages. The whole life is to show kindness, honesty, and fidelity, with justice, mercy, compassion, and care for the defenseless.
Genuine repentance is shown by changed conduct and care for others, for actions are the fruit that reveals character. Faith and repentance must appear in daily conduct, and profession alone does not excuse sin. Repentance is proved by faithfulness to God in the place where God has called a person, without forsaking former duties. John's own life in the wilderness, with its austerity and isolation, was God's direction for his special mission to shield him from the influence of the priests and rabbis and to prepare him, not an example for the people to copy.
The call urges conversion and fruitfulness in the Lord's vineyard. Continued failure to meet Christ's expectation brings the judgment pictured as a fruitless tree being cut down. This response stood against the background that the people were suffering under the curse brought by disobedience while claiming the blessings promised to the faithful. Applied as a pattern for moral purity, the same sincere inquiry directs parents to guard their children from unchastity by teaching them early, setting a pure example, correcting warning signs, and giving instruction about sin's consequences.
The question, What shall we do then, was drawn out by conviction of sin under plain, direct preaching that brought a sense of sin and a desire to respond, reaching people from every class and of many stations and abilities who trusted straightforward words. That preaching was the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, demanding works worthy of repentance under warning of coming wrath and judgment. It belonged to the message given for John's day, and is to be studied to advantage by workers now. Convicted by the warning of judgment and the call to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, the people asked what practical action repentance required of them. Their inquiry stands as the model of sincerely seeking practical direction about right living and moral purity.
The answer made repentance practical by requiring those with extra clothing or food to share with those who have none. Beyond that general duty, it gave specific ethical changes suited to each person's conduct and occupation. Publicans must take no more than was appointed and deal honestly, stopping dishonest or oppressive collection. No one is to act violently or falsely accuse anyone, and all are to be content with wages. The whole life is to show kindness, honesty, and fidelity, with justice, mercy, compassion, and care for the defenseless.
Genuine repentance is shown by changed conduct and care for others, for actions are the fruit that reveals character. Faith and repentance must appear in daily conduct, and profession alone does not excuse sin. Repentance is proved by faithfulness to God in the place where God has called a person, without forsaking former duties. John's own life in the wilderness, with its austerity and isolation, was God's direction for his special mission to shield him from the influence of the priests and rabbis and to prepare him, not an example for the people to copy.
The call urges conversion and fruitfulness in the Lord's vineyard. Continued failure to meet Christ's expectation brings the judgment pictured as a fruitless tree being cut down. This response stood against the background that the people were suffering under the curse brought by disobedience while claiming the blessings promised to the faithful. Applied as a pattern for moral purity, the same sincere inquiry directs parents to guard their children from unchastity by teaching them early, setting a pure example, correcting warning signs, and giving instruction about sin's consequences.