Fruit Worthy of Repentance

The priesthood in Exodus is not taken up lightly. Men are washed, clothed, anointed, and sanctified by sacrifice; the altar itself is consecrated; the lamb is offered morning and evening without neglect. God teaches Israel that drawing near to Him requires cleansing, order, and perseverance. Luke shows the same truth, now sharpened by the voice in the wilderness. John does not ask men for fine words, but for deeds worthy of repentance. The tax collector, the soldier, the man with two coats, all are told to amend their works. As Tatian records: “Luke 3:12 And the publicans also came 22 to be baptized, and they said to him, Teacher, what shall we do?” True turning is not hidden in the heart alone; it appears in mercy, honesty, contentment, and the refusal of violence.

Yet Psalm 44 keeps us from thinking obedience purchases an easy life. The faithful may be brought low, mocked, and handed over to suffering. As Cyprian says, “Because for Your sake we are killed all the day long, we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.” So the Christian life is both sacrifice and endurance: daily offered to God, daily refusing sin, and daily ready to bear reproach.

John therefore speaks with both severity and hope. The axe lies at the root. The One who comes will not flatter barren trees; “and He will gather His fruit into the garner, but the chaff He will burn up with unquenchable fire.” Let us then keep a steady repentance: prayer at its hours, alms from our goods, plain dealing with neighbor, and patience under insult, so that our lives may be found as fruit and not chaff.