John the Baptist speaks about Jesus, saying, “I baptize with water for the sake of reform, but the one who will follow me is more powerful than I. I am not even fit to carry his sandals. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Matthew 3.11
Fierce and holy like the prophet Elijah, John the Baptist is a lone voice in the wilderness, calling people to repent and prepare for one who will baptize them in Spirit and fire. The Baptist says the one for whom he prepares will carry a winnowing fan. This is the shovel people used in John’s time to throw grain in the air and let the wind separate the wheat from the chaff.
What points in your life have been days of judgment—of winnowing seed from chaff?
Keeping Faith Today 