If there’s one message that people do not want to hear even today it is the message of repentance. We would rather justify our sin, claim sin is just a historical background issue, that God is love, etc… Repentance means an acknowledgement of sin and in the lives of those we love.

Repentance though is one of the first messages that everyone preached — John the Baptist, Jesus, Peter, Paul, etc…

In John’s day the people really did not want to hear the message of repentance as much either. At least some of the leaders of the people. They felt secure in being the children of Abraham. For them John had some words:

He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 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.”

We know that good works do not save us, but we also know that good works are our proof of genuine repentance and signs of our life in God. If a tree is not green, has no leaves and is void of fruit, then we can assume it is dead. At that point it’s value is the fire.

That’s what John is saying. If there is no life in a tree, it is going to be cut down and thrown into the fire. Just claiming you are descendant of Abraham is not enough.

Some in the crowd got it. So they asked John what they should do.

And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?”  

And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”

Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”  And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.”  

Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

What does repentance look like? It looks like righteousness that expresses itself through love for others. Righteousness isn’t just about what we don’t do, it is what we do in our actions towards others.

If you notice, two of the parties Jesus mentions seems to be in sin. Although I’m sure they justified it. The tax collectors skimmed a little off the top and pocketed the money. And soldiers strong-armed people into giving more money or they falsely accused them. Jesus said stop these things. Do not collect beyond what is authorized and be content with your wages. Live righteously in how you treat others.

But there’s another that doesn’t seem so sinful. It’s the person who had two tunics and food for more than himself. Maybe he’s worked hard or maybe he’s just been blessed. Either way, he has more than for his own needs.

What does Jesus tell him to do?

He says for him to live in righteousness, he needs to take care of those around him. To give to the one in need and not hoard for himself and for his own protection and safety.

Each party could have justified their sin. And likely did.

• The man with two tunics that he worked hard for them. They were his.
• The tax collector that he needed the money and the people should pay up
• The soldier that his wages were insufficient

Isn’t that how it always works? We are always quick to justify our sins?

“Repent” was the message of John the Baptist. “Bear fruit with your repentance.”

And the message still stands strong.