September 20
Luke 3.7-14
7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.
14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”
He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”
I have still run into this pride that John the Baptist confronted all these years later. We just put it a bit differently. “My parents built this church.” “I have been a member of this congregation my whole life.” Statements of our longevity in the church and our family lineage in the church. It’s not about who our parents are and what they did. It’s not a competition to see who got here first, or who is the last one standing. John tells the people that it will be about who we are and how we are with God. And these things to do won’t get them in, but they show that we have a place.
And when I look over the things John says to the different people I notice he never speaks of making and following lists of rules or laws. He speaks on the surface about use of wealth, but to the core, this is about how we treat other people. Sharing with those in need. Allowing others to keep what they need. Being truthful when we speak of others. Really falling in line with the command Jesus will give the people himself. Love your neighbour as yourself.
We can hold our positions within the church and think it is about us. But even as John prepared the people for Jesus coming that first time we are hearing that following Jesus will not be as much about what we receive as it will be about the fact that we are changed and we will live for God and for people. It becomes how we live as those who follow Jesus. In the membership terms of the church, it is not that being a member entitles us to anything. It is that we are the church. Being here for the good of the whole of God’s creation.
It begins with being told that we follow and live for those around us. And when we get to the end, as pictured in Revelation 22.17 we find that it is still about the others. 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. Now about the calling of others to come and follow. Calling others to receive the waters of life, coming from Jesus himself. We have come, we call others to come, and we live for the one who calls us and for the ones he continues to call today.
Song – Soon and Very Soon
Prayer
You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.
Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!
To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever! Amen.
—Revelation 4:11; 5:12-13, NIV