“Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.”
Matthew 3:8 NLT
John the Baptist spoke these words to the Pharisees who came to watch him baptize people. John knew Jesus was coming, so he preached, “Repent of your sins and turn to God…” His food and clothing may have seemed strange, but John was preparing the way for people to receive Jesus.
However, instead of repenting and being baptized, the Pharisees just watched—watched so they could criticize! In fact, when Jesus came, those same Pharisees watched and criticized everything HE did!
People around us today so desperately need Jesus. But often the ones preparing the way for them to meet Him are criticized for their strange ways. Of course, those watchers don’t come close and help—they simply stand at a distance and judge.
Undoubtedly, there is plenty of evil to watch and criticize, but even Jesus didn’t do that. He could have watched from the distance of heaven, but instead, Jesus came near to sit with people—to listen to their hearts, feed their hunger, and heal their pain.
The Pharisees didn’t prepare the way for others to meet Jesus, they blocked the way. John basically told them to stop watching and start living!
Do I just watch and criticize, or do I SHOW God to the world by the way I live?
Do I prepare the way or block the way?
