7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:7-12

The religious leaders made it a point to find John. They knew who he was but wanted to find out for themselves the full extent of his passion and boldness.

John the Baptist won no popularity contests with the religious and secular rulers of his day. He was focused like a laser beam in his message and zeal. He didn’t care who these people were. They needed to hear what he had to say, and he had to say it. He knew how they thought and acted, and often called them out on it. The Book of Luke gives a more detailed account of what he said and his audience, but if he knew a leader was living in sin, he exposed him.

But just as God created such a unique character out of John. We may try to imitate others but He’s uniquely gifted each of us for our calling. Most go through life without ever exploring those gifts or that calling. They’re content to live life day by day just existing.

Hopefully you’re never be a John the Baptist. This world could only handle one of him. Similarly, he can only handle one of you. Have you explored those gifts? Have you embraced them?

As always, if not, why not?