Oh my, Father, this weekend has flown by! But I am grateful for Your presence and guidance through it all from gathering with family, to Your protection in transporting the band to and from, to our time together in worship today, as well as my time out and about with Karen and Massey today. I am blessed beyond measure!
Matthew 3:11-12 (<<click here to read the passage)
You would probably not be too surprised that it is not easy keeping a school bus clean. One of my never-ending tasks is to make sure the trash is picked up, the floors are swept, the windows are cleaned, things are sanitized on occasion, and the outside gets a fairly regular washing.
This past Friday, my elementary kids left my bus a total mess. Some had taken their homework and compressed them into little “batons” with which they were hitting each other! No one got hurt and as soon as I saw what was going on, I put a stop to it. But what I didn’t realize was, they left all of their “weapons” on the floor, under the seats, and on the seats! I was none too happy, and it took me a while to get it all picked up and thoroughly swept! (They got an earful that afternoon and got to ride in silence all the way home! Especially on a Friday, that is torture!)
These verses from Matthew’s Gospel state that the coming Messiah (Jesus) “will thoroughly clear out His threshing floor.” John the Baptist uses an illustration of a farmer “separating the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork” to accomplish that task. Lord Jesus, You are the farmer who will separate the chaff – those who are unrepentant – from the wheat – those who repent and believe that You are who You claim to be.
The winnowing fork – a little like a pitchfork – was used to throw the grain into the air, the chaff – the worthless outer shell – blows away while the heavier wheat kernel – the useful portion – falls to the ground. The wheat was gathered to use. The chaff was burned.
John the Baptist is prophesying what the coming Messiah will someday do. As for us, that “someday” is still before us – and we can surely be grateful for Your patience, Lord – but beyond any shadow of a doubt, it will happen.
Lord, I have repented, and I truly believe in You. The day for cleaning house is getting nearer with every passing day. May I be ever diligent in being about the work of Your Kingdom. Use me as You will to show others the need for repentance. Amen.
(Oct 1st, 2017, Sun, 8:30 pm)
Oct 2nd, 2022, Sun, 7:54 pm
