St. Luke's Episcopal Church
Cleveland, Tennessee

Third Sunday of Advent
December 13, 2009
Mr. Isaac Doty

Bear Fruits Worthy of Repentance

This morning we continue Luke's account of the ministry of John the Baptist. We heard last week a clarion call to repentance, quoting the words of the prophet Isaiah, “Prepare the way of the Lord.” We are ready for a time of spiritual renewal, a time to take stock, to turn our lives around, as we await the coming of the Messiah. As a church, we spend these several weeks leading up to Christmas making ready. We have heard the call to repent – and we are filled with glorious expectation for the Christ child. We listen eagerly to hear more Good News of the coming of Christ Jesus into the world to save sinners. It brings us up short that this morning's Gospel begins with a rebuke.

“You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:7-9)

Now I will be the first to admit that wasn't the Good News I was expecting to hear. Vipers aside, the message here hearkens to a more dire situation than the expectation of the coming of one's Savior would suggest. The mention of repentance notwithstanding, there is very much a warning of forthcoming judgment in these words. Had they come from St. Nick rather than St. John I would be expecting coal for Christmas. And it is not beyond expectation, upon hearing such strong words, to wonder what stones having going for them if they are bucking to replace us. Exhortations to repentance are easily overshadowed by sterner words.

Yet the exhortation remains. “Bear fruit worthy of repentance.” When John says these words he is not leading us down the garden path. He is offering us a path to righteousness, and one not so readily available to stones of Abraham. We know John the Baptist has come to prepare us through the waters of baptism for repentance and forgiveness of sins. And we, being baptized, must bear fruit worthy of that repentance. We cannot simply claim privileged standing with God. God requires more of us than he requires of stones. And we are given a taste of just how God will call us to account. A tree that bears no fruit is fit for kindling. There are only two options, we are to live fruitfully or be cut down and thrown into the fire. There is no middle ground.

So what do we make of the stern words? Yes, John's message for us this morning is harsh and exacting, and maybe a wee bit frightening, but it is meant to instruct us. His words tell of the imminent coming of one more powerful than himself and we are to make ready. Not just make ready, but get our act together, turn our lives around and live rightly, because how we live our lives matters. It more than just matters, it makes a difference.

What are these fruits then, so worthy of repentance? Luke offers us examples from John's own ministry. When the crowds ask him, “What then should we do?” he answers, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” The tax collectors and soldiers he instructs not to abuse their positions. St. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, chapter 5, goes further when calling them to live by the Spirit he says, “the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.” Christ himself, whom we await in this season of Advent, time and time again teaches us how to live in accordance with God's will. That is at the core of the Good News that we know as the Gospels.

In today's Epistle from Philippians Paul exhorts the people to “Rejoice in the Lord always” and “let your gentleness be known to everyone.” Why? Because “The Lord is near.” In this season of Advent, as we await the coming of Christ Jesus, let us remember that our expectations for the coming glory is mirrored by his expectations for us to bear fruit.

That is the good news about the Good News this morning: while we must be aware of the consequences of taking the wrong path, getting lost, and of failing to bear fruit – the call for us to repent and live lives suited to God's will has not ceased. The question we must answer is, how, then, shall we live? Each of us must answer that for ourselves.

In closing this morning I'd like to ask, why do we do this? Why do we bother to be better than the stones? Why do we bother to bear fruit worthy of repentance? Why do we turn our lives on end, seeking to live rightly with God's will? Why does it all matter?

In a Christmas address written by the Rev. Rob Gieselmann, a one-time rector of this parish, he wrote, “Christmas is about a God who still condescends to earth, and that means this: Christmas is about the human soul, for the god of pure light chose to become as us, bounded by time and space, even – now get this – to bow down to us, to save us from the death, the darkness, the fear. But more that that: God esteemed your soul as worthy.”

God esteems us as worthy. The message of today's gospel calls us to live up to that valuation. God knows we are capable of it and he has high expectations for us. He loves us so much that He came to show us how to do it; and one day we will be held to account for how well we learned. So bear fruits worth of repentance; and be loving, joyful and patient. Be kind, generous, and faithful. Be gentle and forgiving, and above all in this Advent season, be mindful of the Good News of the coming of Christ Jesus – Our Savior.