Read Luke 7:29-30

(All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)

Reflect

The common people, even the social outcasts like the tax collectors, were glad to hear Jesus' confirmation that John had been doing God's work. After all, they had been welcomed and baptized by John. But many of the Jewish religious leaders, such as the Pharisees and the experts on the Old Testament law, had rejected John's called to repentance. They didn't recognize their own sin or their need to repent.

Respond

One would hope that those who came to John to be baptized truly recognized their sin and saw this humbling act of baptism in the muddy river water as an outward expression of their inward sorrow and repentance. How aware are you of your sin and your need for daily repentance?