Bible League: Living His Word “And even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”— Matthew 3:10 NKJV In preparation for the Messiah, John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of Judea. His main message was, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2). Many from Jerusalem, Judea, and the surrounding region came out to him to confess their sins and be baptized. However, when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming out, he said, “‘Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,’” (Matthew 3:7-9). That’s when he spoke the words of our verse for today: “‘And even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’” Why did he say this? What was his point? First, his point was that the religious leadership of the Pharisees and the Sadducees was coming to an end. Likening them to trees that do not bear good fruit, he essentially prophesied that they would be cut down just like trees. Indeed, his point was that already, even before the ministry of the Messiah got off the ground, the axe was being laid to the root of the trees. Second, John’s point was that there was something already beginning to take their place. The Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. The Messiah was about to be revealed as such. The new order, based on repentance and trust in the Messiah, was taking over. Even today, nearly two thousand years later, the axe is still being laid to the root of the trees. All the Pharisees and Sadducees of our day, all those holding on to an entrenched legalistic system, and all those that have perverted the true Gospel, are being cut down. The Kingdom of Heaven is still breaking through and taking their place. Every time there is a revival, every time there is a reformation, the Kingdom of heaven has broken into the earth. We must always be ready then, to repent and leave the old order behind. We must always be ready to go out to the wilderness and join the breakthrough. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingNumbers 3, 4 Numbers 3 -- Levites Designated as Priests NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Numbers 4 -- Duties of the Kohathites, Gershonites, Merahites NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Mark 3:22-35 Mark 3 -- Jesus Heals on the Sabbath, Chooses the Twelve, discusses Beelzebub, Mother and Brothers NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion But the LORD's plans stand firm forever;his intentions can never be shaken. Insight “The LORD's plans stand firm forever.” Are you frustrated by inconsistencies you see in others, or even in yourself? God is completely trustworthy—his intentions never change. There is a promise that good and perfect gifts come to us from the Creator who never changes. Challenge When you wonder if there is anyone in whom you can trust, remember that God is completely consistent. Let him counsel you, and trust in his plans for your life. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.A holy character does not avert temptation--Jesus was tempted. When Satan tempts us, his sparks fall upon tinder; but in Christ's case, it was like striking sparks on water; yet the enemy continued his evil work. Now, if the devil goes on striking when there is no result, how much more will he do it when he knows what inflammable stuff our hearts are made of. Though you become greatly sanctified by the Holy Ghost, expect that the great dog of hell will bark at you still. In the haunts of men we expect to be tempted, but even seclusion will not guard us from the same trial. Jesus Christ was led away from human society into the wilderness, and was tempted of the devil. Solitude has its charms and its benefits, and may be useful in checking the lust of the eye and the pride of life; but the devil will follow us into the most lovely retreats. Do not suppose that it is only the worldly-minded who have dreadful thoughts and blasphemous temptations, for even spiritual-minded persons endure the same; and in the holiest position we may suffer the darkest temptation. The utmost consecration of spirit will not insure you against Satanic temptation. Christ was consecrated through and through. It was his meat and drink to do the will of him that sent him: and yet he was tempted! Your hearts may glow with a seraphic flame of love to Jesus, and yet the devil will try to bring you down to Laodicean lukewarmness. If you will tell me when God permits a Christian to lay aside his armour, I will tell you when Satan has left off temptation. Like the old knights in war time, we must sleep with helmet and breastplate buckled on, for the arch-deceiver will seize our first unguarded hour to make us his prey. The Lord keep us watchful in all seasons, and give us a final escape from the jaw of the lion and the paw of the bear. Daily Light on the Daily Path Hebrews 3:8 DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS,James 1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. • But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. • Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Psalm 106:14 But craved intensely in the wilderness, And tempted God in the desert. Luke 4:1-3 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness • for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry. • And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." Hebrews 2:18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. Luke 22:31,32 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; • but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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