Grace Centre Daily Devotional
Date 23rd October, 2021
Topic: The Whys'
Text:Matthew 3:1-8
[1]In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was,
[2]“Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
[3]The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said,
“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the lord’s coming!
Clear the road for him!’”
[4]John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.
[5]People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John.
[6]And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
[7]But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath?
[8]Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.

Message
The place of understanding cannot be under-valued.

The story of John the Baptist and his activities in the desert is something we know and It was something that will definitely attract people -I mean of all places why would someone choose to be preaching in the desert? He was preaching to who actually? The oddness attracted people of various mindset; some went to look at who was shouting, some went to know the content of his shout, some went to enjoy the scene of the ' mad man ', some don't even know why they were there. This is liken to the fellowship of brethren, why exactly are you admist a worship activity?

In VS 7-10, John realized how foolish man had been all along, thus he voiced out, calling some ' Brood of snakes '. Indeed they were because their reason for getting baptized or fellowshipping was simply because, baptizing was becoming a popular thing to do. So when these set of individual leave for the world, thier experience becomes the message rather than the message itself! These set of people mentor out poison rather than healing balm of truth.

What do you think you are doing going to church everyday, or giving to the needy or doing community service. God has a standard, if it is not done right then it cannot be counted as righteousness.

It is our heart that must change not our acts. This will enable us to be really fruitfull to the honor of the father (1st Peter 2:9-10)

Action Point: Stop pretending

Prayer point: Holy Spirit help me repent. Amen