...the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” 7 John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits worthy of repentance.”
— Luke 3:1b-8a, NRSV
Having grown up in the mountains I am quite used to seeing crooked roads. The old mountain roads were full of twists and turns. It was quite easy for people to experience motion sickness or even a bit of vertigo if the edge of the road had a steep drop!
These days they are blasting through mountains. They are leveling the roads and making them wider and straighter. When I travel on a road undergoing such a transition I often think of the text from Isaiah, which Luke quotes...
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill
shall be brought low,
and the crooked shall be made
straight,
and the rough ways shall be
made smooth...
— Luke 3:5 RSV
It is a difficult job — making straight the crooked.
The words crooked and straight lend themselves to metaphorical use. Sometimes we speak of a person having a bent personality or having a twisted mind. In ancient Greece a bad horse was called crooked and a good horse was called straight. So we can understand that there are things in our own lives that are crooked.
John the Baptist calls upon his hearers to repent. The Greek word for repentance is metanoia (metanoia) which literally means “a change of will or mind.” A similar word metamelomai is usually translated remorse. But remorse isn't sufficient for salvation. Indeed, it is remorse that Judas feels when he betrays Jesus, not repentance. Remorse may be (and perhaps often is) the beginning point of repentance — a change of heart and will.
John emphasizes this point in that he not only calls on people to repent, but to “Bear fruit worthy of repentance.” Repentance requires a change of action. Things cannot continue the way they have been. A change is necessary. John Wesley writes...
God does undoubtedly command us both to repent, and to bring forth fruits meet for repentance; which if we willingly neglect, we cannot reasonably expect to be justified at all: Therefore both repentance, and fruits meet for repentance, are, in some sense, necessary to justification.
John Wesley, The Scripture Way of Salvation
Wesley's Works, Jackson Edition, Vol VI, p. 48
Remorse isn't enough. We can't just say, “I'm sorry” and expect everything to be okay. Repentance means we will change! Listen to the call of the Baptist, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand!”
Father,
help us to respond in Your grace.
Guide us into the paths of righteousness
You provide for us.
May all we do be for the Glory of Your Kingdom.
In Jesus' Name we pray.
Amen.