John & Johnny

Johnny Cash’s “When the Man Comes Around” sits oddly beside Luke 3:7-18, in which John the Baptist delivers a fiery call to repentance, warning of divine judgment and proclaiming the nearness of salvation. Both the song and the Gospel passage grapple with themes of judgment, accountability, redemption, and ethical transformation, challenging us to prepare for the coming of Christ.

Judgment: The Unquenchable Fire

In Luke 3:7-9, John addresses the crowds coming for baptism with harsh but necessary words:

“You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance.”

John’s imagery of the ax lying at the root of the trees and unquenchable fire emphasizes the inevitability of judgment for those who fail to repent and live righteously. Similarly, Johnny Cash’s “When the Man Comes Around” portrays a stark and unavoidable reckoning:

“The whirlwind is in the thorn tree;

The virgins are all trimming their wicks.”

The Gospel and the song emphasize that God’s judgment is not arbitrary but deeply connected to human choices. The “man” in Cash’s song, clearly representing Christ at the Second Coming, will separate the righteous from the unjust, much like John’s image of the threshing floor:

“His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” (Luke 3:17)

The intensity of judgment in both texts serves as a wake-up call, urging people to turn from sin and live lives that reflect God’s justice and mercy.

Accountability: Bearing Fruits of Repentance

John’s message is not merely about fear but about transformation. He challenges his audience to “bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Luke 3:8) and outlines specific ethical actions:

• Share resources with those in need.

• Avoid exploitation or greed.

• Live justly in relationships and work.

Similarly, Cash’s song underscores the seriousness of living a life accountable to God’s standards:

“Whoever is unjust, let him be unjust still.

Whoever is righteous, let him be righteous still.”

These lines, inspired by Revelation 22:11, highlight the consequences of human actions and the urgency of choosing righteousness. Both the Gospel and the song suggest that judgment is not just about punishment but also our choices and their eternal significance.

The Urgency of Preparation

John’s call to repentance is framed by the nearness of God’s kingdom and the coming of the Messiah:

“I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals.” (Luke 3:16)

This echoes the refrain of “When the Man Comes Around”:

“When the man comes around.”

Both texts create a sense of urgency. The Messiah is coming, and there is no time to delay in preparing for his arrival. The ethical challenge is immediate: to turn away from sin, live righteously, and align ourselves with God’s will.

Hope and Redemption Amid Judgment

While the Gospel and Cash’s songs dwell heavily on judgment, they also hold forth the promise of redemption. John’s baptism is a sign of repentance, a way to prepare for the forgiveness and salvation that Jesus will bring. Likewise, “When the Man Comes Around” offers a glimmer of hope amid its apocalyptic imagery:

“Will you partake of that last offered cup,

Or disappear into the potter’s ground?”

The “last offered cup” represents Christ’s invitation to salvation, even as judgment approaches. Both texts remind us that while judgment is inevitable, redemption is still possible for those who turn toward God with sincere repentance and a transformed life.

Ethical Challenge: Living the Kingdom

John’s ethical instructions in Luke 3 emphasize that repentance is not merely about avoiding judgment but actively living the values of God’s kingdom. Sharing with those in need, practicing honesty, and rejecting greed are tangible ways to prepare for the Messiah’s arrival. Similarly, “When the Man Comes Around” challenges us to consider whether our lives align with the justice and mercy of God’s kingdom.

The song’s refrain, “It’s Alpha and Omega’s kingdom come,” emphasizes that God’s kingdom is not only the future but also breaking into the present. How we live now has eternal consequences.

The Winnowing Fork: Separating Wheat from Chaff

One of the most vivid images in Luke 3:17 is the winnowing fork, separating the wheat from the chaff. Like Cash’s vision of multitudes marching to judgment, this image captures the dual nature of the Messiah’s coming: it is both a promise of salvation and a warning of judgment.

The song's line “Some are born, and some are dying” underscores this division. The apocalyptic imagery reflects the ultimate consequences of human choices, much like John’s depiction of the unquenchable fire that awaits the unrepentant.

Living Between Judgment and Grace

Both the Gospel passage and “When the Man Comes Around” challenge us to live in the tension between judgment and grace:

1. Judgment: The “wrath to come” is real and unavoidable for those who remain unrepentant. Both texts vividly portray the seriousness of ignoring God’s call.

2. Grace: God’s judgment is not the final word. Both John’s baptism and the “last offered cup” in Cash’s song point to the possibility of redemption for those who choose to align themselves with God’s will.

3. Ethical Action: Repentance is not just about words or rituals but about how we live. Both John and Cash call us to embody justice, mercy, and righteousness in tangible ways.

Conclusion: Prepare the Way

Johnny Cash’s “When the Man Comes Around” and Luke 3:7-18 are prophetic calls to preparation, repentance, and ethical living. They remind us that the coming of Christ demands a response—not just in words but in actions that reflect the values of God’s kingdom. Both texts challenge us to examine our lives and ask:

• Are we bearing fruits worthy of repentance?

• Are we preparing for the arrival of the “man” with vigilance and faith?

• Are we living now in a way that reflects the justice, mercy, and hope of God’s kingdom?

As Cash sings and as John preaches, the time is short. The man is coming. Let us prepare the way of the Lord.

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