What does John reproach the scribes and Pharisees for when they come to him to be baptized in the Jordan? After all, outwardly they are performing one more gesture of piety; they want to receive a ritual washing and thereby...
What does John reproach the scribes and Pharisees for when they come to him to be baptized in the Jordan? After all, outwardly they are performing one more gesture of piety; they want to receive a ritual washing and thereby be cleansed, as if to become better and purer. Why scold them for that? It would seem there is nothing to scold.
Yet it is worth looking more closely at the reasons that bring the Pharisees to the Jordan. As we know from all four Gospels, the Pharisees are people of great learning, devoting their whole lives to studying and interpreting the law of Moses. And such a burden and responsibility of knowledge often prompted them to stand, as it were, above ordinary people, to feel themselves somewhat more righteous than the rest. And now in the Judean wilderness a certain new prophet appears. Why do they go to him? Apparently, one reason was the desire to "check" what he is calling for, and especially HOW he does it, for conformity with the Law. Well, if all the necessary formalities are observed, then why not take part themselves? For the sake of order. It never hurts to be cleansed one more time.
Is this not how we too often approach confession, as a formality? Yes, of course, this is what is prescribed, so we pronounce words memorized by heart, without thinking. And deep down we do not doubt that in reality we are no worse than others, and sometimes even better. But then the bitter words of John the Baptist sound for us today as well: "who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance."
3
3:8 Repentance is of two sorts; that which is termed legal, and that which is styled evangelical repentance. The former (which is the same that is spoken of here) is a thorough conviction of sin. The latter is a change of heart (and consequently of life) from all sin to all holiness.