You brood of vipers! It's one of the great lines of Bible, but just what’s John saying? That his listeners are nasty, mean, and hurtful?
Just what do you know about vipers? Have you ever seen a brood of snakes — a tangled mess of bodies twisted around each other? I used to see them when I lived in Africa, though, thankfully, not in my garden! In the gardens of several friends, however, it was a different story. There it was common to find cobras and other snakes. They used to emerge especially after heavy rain. You learn very quickly, for example, that you should never step over a fallen log ― you step on it good and hard first: to scare the snakes out from underneath, and then they slither away ― they’re experts at fleeing from the wrath to come.
The image, which John puts before us, is of a fearful scattering in all directions. Snakes are afraid of people. It’s their fear that causes them to be dangerous. Only when they’re cornered or taken by surprise are they a problem. People are like that too ― our fears make us dangerous. Look deeply enough behind most hurtful behaviour, behind hurtful words that slip out, or a major crime that destroys lives, and you will find fear.
John's telling us not to run away. Don't be afraid! Fear not! It’s a customary beginning of the announcement of God's word by angels or prophets. John says. Don't run away! Stand and face the wrath to come. John has come to help us get ready for the one who is to come we can't do that if in our fear we run away.
But the words of today's gospel reading are really scary ― cutting off the dead stuff and burning away the chaff. We’re told this message is "good news" but it sounds dangerous. Yet the essence of this message is not about destruction. It’s about finding what’s good underneath the messy build-up of garbage in our lives.
Next Sunday is housecleaning Sunday. If someone in the family is coming to visit and bringing a new baby with them it's time to make sure that everything is in order. You need to remove any clutter from the guest room and clean it till it’s as bright as a new pin. That kind of work isn't always fun, but when you’re preparing for something wonderful, the anticipation can make a joy of the work. In the case of John's message what’s anticipated is more than wonderful ― it's awesome. God is coming! Listen again to today's readings:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice! We’re expecting peace that passes all understanding. ‘Sing the praises of the Lord . . . ring out your joy!’ ‘Do not fear!’ ‘God has taken away the judgments against you’ ― they are burned away like chaff in the fire. The wheat is revealed and your shame is turned into praise.’ ‘Rejoice and exult with all your heart.’ Now this does sound like good news.
John says we can do some of the easy housecleaning ourselves: simple ordinary things. Sharing what we have with those who have nothing. We can go through our wardrobes and drawers and give some things that we no longer wear to charity; we can give a little more either in food or cash to help feed the poor. Above all, we can learn to be satisfied with what we have and not ask for more than our share.
The good news is that when, instead of running away like a brood of vipers, we repent and turn to face God ― even God's wrath ― we get some heavy-duty help with our housecleaning. All the stupid and hurtful things we’ve done are going to be washed away, burned up, and wiped out.
Rejoice, you brood of vipers! Don't flee from your God, but turn towards Him and the tangled mess of your lives will be turned to joy. Amen
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