Luke 3: 15-17
The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
A Thought
The ministry of John the Baptist had just started with the message of fleeing the wrath of God through baptism of repentance and a changed life. His message was so powerful that the people wondered if he was the Christ. John’s answer was that one greater than he, whose sandals he was not worthy to untie, was coming that would baptize them with the Holy Spirit and with fire. John also warned them that Jesus was going to gather the worthy to be with him and the worthless would be burned with an unquenchable fire. Remember, we can only be made worthy by the blood of Christ.
Our Prayer
Father thank you for our being worthy by the power of forgiveness made possible through your Son. Fill us with the fire of the Holy Spirit that we may be on fire for you. In Jesus’ name we ask. Amen.
