Luke 3:8 ESV – Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.
Luke 3:9 ESV – Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

First off, let’s all agree that Abraham was a great man of faith. A pillar of the Old Testament, and a hero to those who came after him. He is referred to in the Gospels 33 times, and in the remaining portions of the New Testament 40 times. He is a lynch pin in the Covenant of Promise and was the chosen man to provide seed for the nation of Israel, and the Messiah. His faith shone through the ages and he is called a friend of God. What a hero, an example and a saint!

John is telling those who look to Abraham as their father to quit. To stop depending on the physical lineage they claimed to have. Yes, Abraham may have some physical link with those John was speaking to, but that is of no import. Absolutely none, and this bloodline issue may actually become a snare, a point of diversion that entraps those who claim Abraham as father.

Of course having the blood of Abraham flowing through your veins is not necessarily a detriment to knowing God. Thankfully this connection can no longer be claimed. But this distraction of focus is typical of those who claim religion.

Abraham was a believer. Those who followed after him, some had faith, many did not. As a matter of fact, as we read through the Old Testament, it seems there were masses of people claiming rightness with God simply because of association with Abraham.

So Carl, your point is understood, but this passage is evangelistic, of John speaking a rebuke to the crowds who were being baptized. He spoke of them as vipers in the previous verse, and now he is demanding fruits (actions) in keeping with their repentance (changed mind).

Agreed. But His emphasis in verse 8 is on the (continuing) production of fruits based on their decision to repent and receive baptism. They have “repented” and they have been “baptized”, but now they have a life of fruits to produce.

So as I read this passage, I see personal application to those who are present at this time, to those who have entered into some covenant with the Master, though they may not understand all the ramifications.

Well, I think John makes one of the ramifications fairly clear. Make sure you don’t convince yourself of another Master. Note His clear statement.

And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’

This group facing Jesus were told to not to start to depend on Abraham. By application, we can extend this warning to all that may be tempted to see as their master the Lord’s apostles, Augustine, any pope, Buddha, Muhammad, Joseph Smith, Charles Taze Russell, or any other religious figure that appears.

As believers, they (and us) had entered into another relationship that was far greater, much stronger and so much better than what Abraham (or these teachers) could provide. Yet John knew His audience, and seemingly He knows our hearts. So He makes it clear.

Bear fruit my friends. Bear fruit or die!

Is that too blunt? Should I have said that? Is that a bit much?Am I exaggerating His message simply to make a point for my topic?

My friends, He goes on to continue the picture of fruit bearing with an illustration of an axe at the base of trees. No fruit – no life. No fruit – into the fire. How did the audience understand that. Did they explain it away thinking this was some eschatological or theological teaching those two thousand years later would understand? Did they walk away thinking the message was for someone else?

We must remember He is speaking to a religious community, a religious community that had God’s written message, and claimed they personally had a physical link to a major player in the Word. He is shaking them up with some harsh truth.

Do we also need harsh truth to understand the grace of God?

My friends, seek to produce fruit in your lives.

Love your neighbor, love your enemy, love those who can’t love you back. Exercise patience while we wait, show humility to those who are proud, have a peaceful presence in the midst of turmoil, live a joyful life while others worry, sacrifice willingly for those who may be greedy. Show self control while everyone’s hair is on fire.

In other words, keep your eyes on Jesus. Don’t look away from Jesus by looking to somewhere else, such as Abraham (or any other) as your father.

The fruit will dry up. And John is telling us that ain’t good. Not at all!

---

Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you would like to receive daily posts from Considering the Bible, click on the “Follow” link below

Follow Considering the Bible on WordPress.com