| 1 | In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, |
| 2 | "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." |
| 3 | For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." |
| 4 | Now John wore a garment of camel's hair, and a leather girdle around hiswaist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. |
| 5 | Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan, |
| 6 | and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. |
| 7 | But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sad'ducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? |
| 8 | Bear fruit that befits repentance, |
| 9 | and do not presume to say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our father'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. |
| 10 | Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. |
| 11 | "I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. |
| 12 | His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." |
When we read through this Gospel we feel it lively. The warning that God gave through John the Baptist is for us too.
John was a simple man who never cared about himself; the food he can feed on or the dress he will put on . He had only one thing in his mind 'How can i help God?'.This character amazes us. We being the dearest children of God hardly think about how we can help Him, instead we go on asking for help from Him for our daily food , dress and for even silly things.
John helped God by making His path straight. This path is through the heart of Gods children. John was courageous to do this by speaking against the wrongs that he found. He asked people to repent on all the wrongs that they have done. A repenting heart cleanses the soul. Each time we make a mistake, Satan get a claim on us to pull us away from God, who finds no space in our sin filled heart to reside in. But the act of repentance flushes out the sins from our heart, removing the blocks in front of us and making a clear way for God to come and reside in us.
John did the same thing. He made the people ready for receiving Jesus. He warned them to repent and not to take the grant of being Abraham descendants for being saved. After the people repented,John cleansed them with water and he gave them a great hope that the one following him has the power to Baptize everyone who is ready with Holy spirit and Fire. The one who repents and cleanses himself will have Jesus born in his heart. As we grew in faith, Jesus will grow along with us, changing us like 'Gods Son' producing Good fruits. John warned everyone that 'the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.'
As we are preparing for Christmas,let us thank God for giving showing us John-the Baptist who can help us prepare ourselves. There is time till 25th December, let us think deeply about all the sins we have done and all those we have hurt that added load to our heart keeping our God away from us. Let us say sorry to all our sins and if possible let us say sorry to those whom we have hurt. Each sorry makes us repenting , cleansing our heart fully for Jesus Christ to be born in us on Christmas Day. This is the gift that God wishes from us - 'A heart with Jesus Christ' .
This Jesus who born in us in Christmas will grow each day and will change us like Him to bear good fruits that will help us to change others like John did and thus making a straight path for God for His second coming, preparing ourselves to be saved on this glorious moment. Keep Jesus within you until we reach to Him in heaven.
Let us prepare our Gift for God this Christmas- 'Our pure heart with Jesus Christ' .
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