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 2 Corinthians 7:6 God, that comforteth those that are cast down.And who comforteth like him? Go to some poor, melancholy, distressed child of God; tell him sweet promises, and whisper in his ear choice words of comfort; he is like the deaf adder, he listens not to the voice of the charmer, charm he never so wisely. He is drinking gall and wormwood, and comfort him as you may, it will be only a note or two of mournful resignation that you will get from him; you will bring forth no psalms of praise, no hallelujahs, no joyful sonnets. But let God come to his child, let him lift up his countenance, and the mourner's eyes glisten with hope. Do you not hear him sing-- "'Tis paradise, if thou art here; If thou depart, 'tis hell?" You could not have cheered him: but the Lord has done it; "He is the God of all comfort." There is no balm in Gilead, but there is balm in God. There is no physician among the creatures, but the Creator is Jehovah-rophi. It is marvellous how one sweet word of God will make whole songs for Christians. One word of God is like a piece of gold, and the Christian is the gold beater, and can hammer that promise out for whole weeks. So, then, poor Christian, thou needest not sit down in despair. Go to the Comforter, and ask him to give thee consolation. Thou art a poor dry well. You have heard it said, that when a pump is dry, you must pour water down it first of all, and then you will get water, and so, Christian, when thou art dry, go to God, ask him to shed abroad his joy in thy heart, and then thy joy shall be full. Do not go to earthly acquaintances, for you will find them Job's comforters after all; but go first and foremost to thy "God, that comforteth those that are cast down," and you will soon say, "In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul." Daily Light on the Daily Path Isaiah 3:11 Woe to the wicked! It will go badly with him, For what he deserves will be done to him.John 19:30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. 2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Isaiah 43:21 "The people whom I formed for Myself Will declare My praise. Ephesians 3:10,11 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. • This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, Ephesians 2:7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 1:13,14 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, • who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. 1 Peter2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 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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