John watched as the crowds gathered around where he was baptizing, eyeing who had come. They thought their birthright as children of Abraham entitled them to the promise, so they expected to be welcomed. But John gave them a piece of his mind instead. “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?”(Luke 3:7) John urged the crowds to wait expectantly for Christ. He told them to clothe and feed people who had needs and to be fair, humane, honest, and content—all outward expressions flowing from the inner condition of a sincerely repentant heart.

Repentance is the single condition that opens the floodgates of God’s grace and mercy. Not who we are, not what we accomplish, and not the faith of our parents. It’s not just seeking forgiveness from God because we did something wrong; it’s a deep awareness of our brokenness and our need for a Savior. It’s the beautiful way this influences how we show love to people. It’s extending grace and mercy because we understand what failure looks like in our lives. It’s freely offering forgiveness because we realize they’re made in God’s image, just like us. It’s understanding that God profoundly, authentically, and unquestionably loves all of us, not just some.  

Out of this heart, we rejoice at the birth of Jesus and eagerly await Christ’s return at His second coming. Dietrich Bonhoeffer articulates this well when he says, “The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.”

This is the same troubled soul John looked for while he baptized. He wanted people to see that an inward expression of repentance and inner cleansing was necessary before the outward expression of repentance through baptism. It was all about the spiritual posture of their hearts, not entitlement. But do we approach God the same way as the crowds at the river? Do we expect certainty because of our upbringing or the good things we’re ‘doing’? Do we skip over the inner work of repentance? No two of our lives are the same, and none of us are entitled. It’s knowing in our soul that we’re broken, apart from Jesus. Don’t let this be lost on you friend. Reach for this truth and hold it tight.

And if John’s words weren’t enough, here comes Jesus. The very one John spoke of who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, the one whose sandal John wasn’t worthy to untie, walking down to the water to be baptized by John. And suddenly, we’re in the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together. “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22) From those who failed to be repentant to the One who would take on the sin of the world. This is what we wait for expectantly as we walk toward Advent. The absolute knowing that Jesus is the answer to the trouble in our soul, that Jesus is the answer to our brokenness, and that Jesus is our something greater to come.

Questions to Ponder:

How is God speaking to you to be giving, merciful, fair, humane, honest, and content? How is the fruitfulness of repentance showing up in the basic things in your life?

Prayer:

LORD, thank you for your immeasurable love for each one of us. Even in our stubbornness, You approach us open-handed, with grace and mercy extended to us. Help us to love people in this same way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

This was originally published in Beholding Advent Devotional as a collaboration with 23 other writers. If you want a free copy of the entire devotional, click here: https://rachaelkadams.com/free.