From these stones.

Matthew 3:7-9, But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.

We know from a later conversation with Jesus that these religious leaders did not accept John as being sent by God to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy of the one who would prepare the way of the Lord, the Messiah. They feared the people rather than God. How easy it is to be deceived by the cares of this world! There are many like this today, who grew up in church, who come from a family of religious tradition that have missed the amazing gift offered to us through the grace of the cross. We have the opportunity to have a personal relationship with Jesus, who is willing and able to take our heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh, if only we will ask. He who can raise up the very stones is willing to raise us up to his purpose for our lives. Are we willing to be used?

We thank you for giving us a new heart; use us today for your purpose!

ESV Lectionary