A poem on Matthew 3:1-12.
A voice cried out where wild things grow,
“Repent! The King is near to show!
Prepare the Way, make straight the Path,
for He shall come with Holy Wrath!”
John stood in robes of camel’s hair
with locusts, honey, and desert’s air.
By Jordan’s banks, the people came,
confessing their sins with holy disdain.
But when the Proud approached the Stream,
their hearts unbowed and motives unclean,
John called them out, “You Vipers’ Brood,
who warned you of the Wrath’s pursuit?
“Bear Fruits that match Repentance true;
for trees unfruitful, Wrath will hew.
Don’t claim your blood of Abraham,
for God can make sons from stones instead of man.
“The Axe is poised, the tree roots bare;
the Chaff will burn, the Wheat He’ll spare.
The One who comes, far greater still,
will Baptize with Fire and Spirit’s will.
“His Winnowing Fan is in His hand
to Cleanse and Sift His threshing land.
So heed the Call—let hearts prepare, —
for His own Reign is drawing near.”
The Lutheran Column 