What Jesus Did! 'Snakes' — Matthew 3:7-10

Monday, January 20, 2025

But when [John the Baptizer] saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. "You brood of snakes!" he exclaimed. "Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don't just say to each other, 'We're safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.' That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. Even now the ax of God's judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire."
— Matthew 3:7-10 NLT

Key Thought

So much of religion can be little more than posturing, passionate opinions, and religious pomp without much true substance. God, however, demands lives that are consistent with the words of our mouths. Just wearing robes, having titles, coming from a strong religious heritage, and liking to be recognized as religious, in and of themselves, simply don't count with Jesus. He wants to see the fruit of lives dedicated to him as God. In fact, Jesus uses terms of utmost derision for those claiming to be religious but not living righteously. He reserves the greatest punishment for those who take advantage of their religious positions. What counts with our Lord are lives that are true to God, not ones that merely look and sound religious.

Today's Prayer

Faithful and just God, thank you for being consistent and true. At times, dear Father, I find myself struggling to have the purest of motives and sincerest of commitments. Please forgive me when my faith is more about religious showy rituals and not about a changed daily lifestyle. Help me to be true to what I say I believe and not get caught up in religious pretensions. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 23:2-7, 27-28
  • James 1:22-24
  • Matthew 7:24-27

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Spurgeon AM Devo for Feb. 25th
Devo: Morning & Evening
"It is pleasant to pass over a country after a storm has spent itself; to smell the freshness of the herbs after the rain has passed away, and to note...."

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 3:7-10 NLT — "You brood of snakes!"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, January 20, 2025

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Charles H. Spurgeon:
"Our misery is that we thirst so little for these sublime things, and so much for the mocking trifles of time and space."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Strengthening Existing Churches' (Acts 16:1-5)
"Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a....."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Taking Hold of Eternal Life' (1 Ti. 6:12-15)
"Dear Father, Lord of all lords, Enable me to take hold of the eternal life to which I was called when I made the good confession before many..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: John 11:4
"From our Lord's words we learn that there is a limit to sickness. Here is an "unto" within which its ultimate end is restrained, and beyond which it....."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!