“Holy Spirit Winnow Me Into The (Barn) Kingdom Of God!”

“Holy Spirit Winnow Me Into The (Barn) Kingdom Of God!”
“The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ.” Any oppressed or marginalised people have this kind of expectant waiting. And when someone comes by whose words and actions promises hope, the people starts wondering in their hearts if he might be their Messiah!
John would’ve taken advantage of the people’s ignorance and behave like the lizard who keeps raising its head and listening if tortoise is pursuing him because he ran away with tortoise’s bride. If john had impersonated Jesus what would’ve happened at the end? He would have been running all his life hiding in shame for having impersonated the Messiah.
In our generation it is common for some people to take advantage over the people with limited knowledge.
John confessed that he was only a pathfinder who wasn’t worthy to untie the sandals of the one who was to come.
The image which the people had of a Messiah was that of a warrior king who was to liberate the people and rule with an iron fist. Unfortunately all earthly rule like any other mundane fixings are transient; lasting only as long as God wants it to be.
The rule of the Messiah is spiritual based on righteousness. Citizens of his kingdom must be baptised of the Holy Spirit so as to be purified. Of course he is not just going to embrace junk material. Like a good wheat thresher, “his winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
We are rebuked so that we should acknowledge our wrongs and repent! Unlike Herod who when rebuked of his atrocities, instead added to them by locking John up in prison(Lk. 3:15-20).
My friend, what I want us to reflect on today is to ask self, “Between the wheat and the chaff what am I?”
Jesus comes as the fulfilment of the long awaited Messiah to those who like wheat remains when the chaff is sieved away!
As you reflect on God’s word and as you look forward to Christmas, pray that you are part of the wheat winnowed by the Holy Spirit and not part of the chaff to be burnt in fire!
Welcome back to work! Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!