Fruits of repentance: Luke 3:7-14
After crying out "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" John the Baptizer says "Therefore, bear fruits in keeping with repentance."
Now, before you read any further, STOP and think about what fruits of repentance are. Maybe even make a list of some. Now, maybe you have read this story before and so you "know" the right answer, but what do you really think when you hear the phrase?
We'll skip the next phrase for the moment, leaving that for another post.
"Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire" (v. 9). It appears that the lack of this "fruit of repentance" is quite a severe matter, don't you think? It sure got the attention of the people!
"Then what shall we do?" (v. 10).
John's response? "The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise" (v. 11).
"Whew", you say. "Good thinkI don't have any tunics!" There is no piece of clothing today that is the exact equivalent of the tunic, but "shirt" seems to come the closest. Maybe we could just leave it at "garment."
"You who have two shirts or garments, give to him who has none."
Seriously. That was John's first response to the general question "Then what shall we do?" He goes on later to give specific advice to tax collectors and soldiers, but this was his answer to the general populace. If you have more than one shirt, give to him who has none.
Pretty simple and straight forward, huh? And probably not what we usually think of as "fruit of repentance." What did you put on your list? Was this on it?
But John's not done. "and he who has food is to likewise."
Fruits of repentance? Share your food and clothes with the needy. It doesn't even say that you have to bring the needy up to your standard of living.
But if you we have more food and clothing than we need today (if you aren't sure, go check your pantry and closet) and aren't sharing with the needy:
"Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."
Oh, and if you aren't too worried because you have already "accepted Christ," read v. 8. But like I said, that's another post.
Comments:
GaryWrites:
2008-05-22 06:05:00
Good point. The Spanish justicia really bothered me for a number of years. I was frustrated because Spanish had no equivalent of "righteousness," which I saw more as a vertical term, referring to our relationship with God rather than a horizontal term referring to our relationship with our fellow man. When we think of righteousness, we don't usually think "social justice," but I think that is just the case in the OT and the Gospels anyhow. Paul might put a different slant on it, but I haven't really studied his use of the term yet.MikeWrites:
2008-05-21 20:54:00
Sounds like the Spanish translation of righteousness (justicia, or justice) may be a good description of what righteousness is. When I think of righteousness I think of nice little pious activities such as going to church and having a quiet time, all activities that are very "me centered." John's description here seems to be telling me "ok, you want to follow Christ, then care about the uncared for, take care of the poor, put your money where your mouth is...literally. Good post.Comment on Article.