Scripture: Luke 3:10-14
The crowds asked John, “What then should we do?” He answered, “Whoever has two shirts must share with the one who has none, and whoever has food must do the same.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized. They said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He replied, “Collect no more than you are authorized to collect.” Soldiers asked, “What about us? What should we do?” He answered, “Don’t cheat or harass anyone, and be satisfied with your pay.”
Thought for the Day: Unexpected, and often despised people, gathered around John as he was baptizing along the Jordan river. If those who our society did not trust and found unethical or immoral were to come together at a meeting, most of us would be suspicious of the meeting. Even more so, we’d be suspicious of the one leading the meeting. There were probably many folks looking on who were skeptical, if not cynical, of John and his ministry. With that said, it sure doesn’t appear as if John allowed the opinions of any to impact his message. Actually, he doesn’t go easy on the wealthy tax collectors like some who might have hoped the tax collectors would financially support them. John also demanded ethical behavior of the soldiers (who acted like a police force in the Roman occupied area). Had the soldiers followed John’s demands, it would have put them in conflict with their superiors who gave orders for them to cheat or harass as a form of intimidation. Jesus will show up soon in the story and raise the bar of expectation, but John had his own set of expectations for those who came seeking baptism. Are we as demanding? In reading these words, do we raise the expectations we have for ourselves?
Prayer: Let me see my faith in you, O Lord, as both a gift and a gift that comes with some expectations. I know you won’t pull back or diminish your love even when I fail, but in acknowledging your grace, I hope to live a life that is constantly reaching higher and higher. Amen.
SERMON THIS SUNDAY
