15 Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. 16 John answered their questions by saying, “I baptise you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am - so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. 17 He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” 18 John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people.

19-20 John also publicly criticised Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, for marrying Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for many other wrongs he had done. So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his many others. Luke 3:15-20 New Living Translation

This man John could’ve become the celebrity of his day. The people thought he was the Messiah they were waiting for and were ready to follow him. But he immediately turns the attention off himself and points them to the one who was soon to appear – namely, Jesus. (vs 16) John sets the bar for what ought to be true of every Christian thereafter. We live to lift Jesus up - never ourselves.

How does John describe the work Jesus was coming to do? (vs 17)

Jesus wasn’t coming to make people feel good about themselves. He was not a motivational speaker. He was coming to do a work of cleansing and separation. He was going to set a people apart who belong to God. John uses a very strong picture to describe this. He speaks of 'burning the chaff with never-ending fire!” Some people might say there is a contradiction in vs 18. What do you think?

People don't often associate 'warnings' with good news. But think of a doctor who tells a patient he has a life threatening illness and will need to make some strict changes to his diet and lifestyle. He warns him of what failing to do so will lead to. But then he adds: “The good news is that if you follow my instructions you will completely recover!”

The gospel is not a popular message because it begins with telling people that the God who created them is holy, and their sins are not acceptable to Him. It announces that He has appointed a day when He will judge every one who has ever walked this planet. It says that only 'the wheat' will be gathered into His barn – the 'chaff' will go to never-ending fire. Now while those are figures of speech, word pictures, they speak of something good and something awful. Our human nature doesn't like being told things like this. That's why we see the reaction of King Herod when John pointed out the wickedness of the King's sin. (vs 19-20)

So what do the 6 verses we've looked at tell us about John, and about what following Jesus will involve?

I’d suggest they show that he was faithful and fearless. He faithfully taught the people God's truth without compromise and without watering it down to make it more popular and acceptable. He didn’t give people a soft and easy message they would prefer. And he was not only faithful to the common people, he was also fearless enough to give the same message to a King, even though he knew it may lead to a dungeon.

You and I will likely never have to take a stand for God's truth before a Prime Minister or a President . . . but we must be willing to speak of Christ to those we may be worried of offending. There are family members, partners, neighbours and workmates who may never hear of the danger they are in unless someone is faithful and fearless enough to tell them. Ask God often for the wisdom of when to speak and just what to say. It’s not an easy thing to do, but we may be the messenger through whom the Holy Spirit stirs them up to see their need of the One whose sandal-straps we are all unworthy to untie.