MONDAY, JANUARY 3
Scripture: Matthew 3:1,2 and 7-10

John the Baptist came with a command from heaven to prepare the way. His preaching about Jesus did not emphasize the Priestly but the Kingly! Do we know the Jesus of John the Baptist? The message was, repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Now the question emerges, what Messiah was John the Baptist preaching? And as we read verses 7-10 it becomes clear that the Messiah John the Baptist was preaching is far different from the one most of the church represents today. Verse 10 says, “And even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” John the Baptist was preaching a Messiah of judgment who would take an axe and cut down a tree and throw it into the fire. That is not the Jesus a large majority of the church represents! What happened? Why is it that John the Baptist preached a Jesus of judgment and that the church today runs from this message? We have run from it to our own hurt and we have not developed in justice to the point that we can bring the sword of the Spirit on the enemies that need to be cut off. It is time to get to know the Jesus who swings a Sword! When swinging the Sword saves, it is time to swing the Sword!