The Confrontation

When he(John the Baptist) saw many of the Pharisees and Saducees coming to the place of his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you t.o flee from the coming wrath therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And don't presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones! Even now the axe is ready to strike the root of the trees! Therefore every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptise you with water for repentance, but the One who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove His sandals. He Himself will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing shovel is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn. But the chaff He will burn up with fire that never goes out." Matthew 3:7-12

The Scribes and Pharisees had known about the Messiah's coming. Remember all of Jerusalem was in turmoil at the news the wise men brought about the birth of their King. Yet none went to visit Jesus or to seek Him out. They were preoccupied with grabbing power and forcing submission and honour from the people.

John confronts them with a true description on who they were, a brood of vipers. They were in control of the serpent, satan.

They came to watch what John was up to and probably to look for a reason to control and judge him. He was quick off the mark and got to them before they could start. I am sure they did not appreciate his comments.

What would John say to us?

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