Luke 3:7-18 (NRSV)
Read Luke 3:7-18 on biblegateway.com
Verse 7John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Verse 8Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Verse 9Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." Verse 10And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?" Verse 11In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." Verse 12Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?" Verse 13He said to them, "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you." Verse 14Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what should we do?" He said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages."
Verse 15As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, Verse 16John answered all of them by saying, "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. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Verse 17His 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." Verse 18So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.
Devotion
Repent! What would that look like? Three groups ask John, “What should we do?” Their questions don’t focus on status, i.e., who is in and who is out. The “doing” is ongoing; it is not once and done. A good tree bears good fruit year in and year out. Repentance is like that.
The crowds are told to spread their assets. If you have two coats, then you have one to give to anyone who lacks a coat. Anyone (!)— that means no prequalifying. If you have food, do likewise. The tax collectors are to add no fees to line their pockets. The soldiers should not exploit their power over anyone (there is that limitless word again). Being satisfied with their wages sounds like not maximizing the profit potential of their positions.
All three answers move away from accumulation toward limitless service. That may seem unimaginable, but we should expect no less from the One born in a manger.
Prayer
Lead us to repent and reshape us to serve without limits. Bring forth in us the good fruit of a repentant life. Amen.
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