Matthew 3:12

Fan is in his hand.

Rather the winnowing shovel by which the wheat and chaff were tossed together into the air, so that the wind would blow the chaff away.

Gather his wheat into the garner.

Granary, or grain depository. The garners or granaries of the East are often excavations in the earth, in which the grain is buried, frequently for the sake of concealment, either from an enemy or an oppressive government. Sometimes, the owner being slain or driven away, the subterranean treasure is found accidentally by the plow or other means.

Unquenchable fire.

A reference is here made to the practice of burning the chaff under process of winnowing, lest the flying particles of chaff should be driven back into the wheat;. fire is made to burn, in whose blaze the chaff is forthwith consumed. The wheat is the righteous, the chaff is the wicked, and Christ is the winnower; the granary is heaven, the unquenchable fire is hell.-- Whedon. The chaff and wheat may be intermingled, but the Lord shall part them and each shall go to his own place.

PRACTICAL AND SUGGESTIVE.

The preacher and the teacher should be as. voice, hiding themselves behind the cross, and calling attention only to the Redeemer.

True repentance is accompanied by confession of sin.

The true follower of Christ must follow him in this public profession of religion. It is not true, as sometimes said, that Christ professed religion only by his life.

The kingdom of God recognizes an eternal distinction here, and proclaims an eternal separation hereafter, between the good and the evil.

The Emperor Sigismond, having made promises of amendment in. fit of sickness, asked the archbishop of Cologne how he might know if his repentance was sincere. He answered, "If you are as careful to perform in your health as you are forward to promise in your sickness."

The kingdom of God demands. transformed character as. token of. true citizenship in its privileges.

Birth, or position, or earthly privileges, are no title to citizenship in the kingdom of heaven, but. new heart and. new life.

POINTS FOR TEACHERS.

1. Observe that this lesson is about preparation for Christ. There is one who prepares the way. His first word is "Repent." Every teacher should prepare the way of the Lord in the hearts of his pupils, and one of the first words of preparation is " Repent. " 2. Not only repentance, but confession, obedience and fruits are needful to prepare the Lord's way. 3. Point out the marks of the kingdom--(a) its Messenger; (b) its King already born, but not inaugurated; (c) near at hand, but future; (d) when established on the earth. 4. Note John the Baptist--his character, his dress, his preaching, the effect. 5. Note his rebuke of the Pharisees and Sadducees; his plainness with sin, an example to all preachers and teachers. 6. Observe the homage he pays to Christ, and the humble place he assigns himself. True greatness is modest. 7. Notice. picture of the world;. wilderness;. voice;. call to repentance;. solemn warning;. promise.