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? Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin 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 ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

And the crowds asked him, “What, then, should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none, and whoever has food must do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”

As the people were filled with expectation and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

So with many other exhortations he proclaimed the good news to the people. (New Revised Standard Version)

John’s ministry was meant to be one of preparing people for the Lord’s coming. His understanding of that preparation may seem odd, even harsh, to us.

Yet, John believed that the coming of the Lord meant that Judgment Day was at hand. So, his words are consistent with that sort of theological understanding.

What John did not see at the time – nor anyone else, for that matter – was that the coming of the Lord was happening in two advents, and not just one.

The first advent, or coming, was the incarnation and earthly life of Jesus. This first coming is not yet the time for judgment. The second advent, however, will be all about judgment for both the living and the dead.

That reality, however, doesn’t mean John’s feisty words have no meaning for us. In fact, they have more meaning than ever, because the judgment he foresaw is still yet to come.

We need to hear John’s words, and have the ears to receive those words, because we are in a world that seems ripe for divine judgment.

Repentance – a change of mind and heart that leads to a new life of active justice (not judgment) – is the appropriate preparation for us in this current Advent season.

Amongst the crowds who gathered around John, some recognized how they had fallen short of loving God and neighbor. Some had a profound sense of failing to live faithfully. Others were overwhelmed and came to see and hear the Baptist preach.

Above all, however, John had a warning to the people about relying on their privilege as Jews. It isn’t pedigree that gets anyone anywhere in God’s kingdom.

Instead of putting faith in something like ethnicity or religious beliefs, people ought to be putting their efforts into living a good, right, and just life.

For us today, nobody can rely on special privileges either. It has always been humanity’s responsibility and obligation to love, not hate; serve, not always looking to be served; and showing mercy, not revenge.

The axe comes in many forms, yet it consistently exists to cut off something. Far too many persons, during this time of year, and especially in this season, feel cut off from family or friends. Many sense they are cut off from light, or sanity, as if the world is a surreal place filled with clowns and oligarchs who care nothing for others.

There’s a lot of suffering going on. And any threats of axes and separation are already a reality for too many persons. So, what are we to do with all these icky and unwanted thoughts, feelings, and situations?

John said to the crowd that they were to bear fruit that is worthy of repentance. That is a very biblically language-based way of saying that, for God’s sake, we had better start practicing forgiveness, and see one another from a different angle.

We need a changed viewpoint that leads to a changed heart and life.

There must be a new, or renewed, relationship with God.

If there is doubt about what to do, the answer lies within the problem:

• For the money-hungry, don’t be greedy, but learn to give away resources
• For those in authority, don’t abuse power through extortion, but learn to give it away, along with your wages
• For those who talk a good line, don’t manipulate others, but learn to give your hands and feet to working for a better world, and for your neighbor next door

Learning how to change and be different in this season of Advent is the very best way of preparing to receive the Christ child at Christmas.

One greater than John is coming, with something better than anyone can imagine. It is the gift of a different baptism – fire and spirit – that breathes the power of God into everything it touches.

The axe may be at the root of the tree. There may already be plenty of separation and disconnection. But this year doesn’t have to end in disaster or destruction or disappointment.

You and I, along with everyone who calls on the name of the Lord, can experience deliverance from evil, and freedom to be the people we were always meant to be.

O God of the lost and the displaced, you promise restoration and wholeness through the power of Jesus Christ. Give us faith to live joyfully, sustained by your promises, as we eagerly await the day when they will be fulfilled for all the world to see; through the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.