Rev Gav
Action
Luke 3:10-17. John’s advice two thousand years ago is as relevant today as it was back then — for us to have compassion and to act with love.
Luke 3:10-17
10 The crowds asked, “What should we do?”
11 John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”
12 Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”
13 He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.”
14 “What should we do?” asked some soldiers.
John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”
15 Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. 16 John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”
Reflect
The people came to John to hear his message and he told them not to only go through a religious ceremony or symbolic action, but to do something about it. The crowd asked John what they should do and so John spelled it out — and it was not complicated. We like to think that following God’s way is to be somehow ‘super-spiritual’ or ‘unearthly’, but John’s advice could not have been more grounded and practical. If you had two shirts and you saw someone without a shirt, then you gave them one, and if you had food and you saw someone starving, then you gave them some food!
After this basic and simple advice, some tax collectors and soldiers showed that they were also taking John’s message seriously. They too asked how they should behave. Now, tax collectors and soldiers (whether Herod’s soldiers or Roman soldiers) were not known for being religious types. They might have been considered, by the religious elite of the day, as outsiders. They certainly were not liked and yet, Luke pointed out that they also came to John with changed hearts.
John finished with a warning, saying that when Jesus came there was going to be a sifting. Whereas John baptised people as a sign of forgiveness for sins, Jesus would actually deal with the sins themselves. Sin would be done away with forever, therefore if your life was built mostly on sinning, then you had better watch out!
John’s advice two thousand years ago is as relevant today as it was back then. God has not changed, and God’s heart is still for us to have compassion and to act with love. For example, if we have two of something, give one away, or if we have food, share it. Simple.
Do
Spend a moment listening to God. Imagine you are coming to John and asking, “What should I do?” How would God reply to you?
Pray
Holy God
Because you are radically generous,
you call us to a radical generosity.
Help me to put my faith into action
by giving from what you have given me.
May I be a blessing to those around me,
this day and for ever.
Amen.
Think
Why do you think Luke specifically mentioned tax collectors and soldiers?
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I think that John specifically engaged with tax collectors and soldiers because they were considered to be some of the most sinful people. The point was that God's love has the power to change anyone, regardless of the depth of their depravity.
There is an interesting parallel in the beginning of the Shiva Purana, thanks for helping me make this connection. I so love comparative theology!😀