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An Impossible Question and John the Baptist’s Answer: Incredible

by | 62 comments

An Impossible Question and John the Baptists Answer: Incredible

Some people are quick on their feet. When asked a squirrelly question, they respond with grace, wisdom, and poignancy.

Not me.

My amber eyes bulge wide. My cheeks glow pink. My voice goes silent. When I start to utter syllables, I stammer. Silence thickens.

Can I have some time to think about that? I, um, respond.

Let me get back to you in three months, is what I really mean.

My brain runs on a low grade processing system, which is fine unless I’m put on the spot. Then everything goes blank.

Maybe that happens to you, too.

If this is a foreign experience for you, I’m jelly for sure.

The third chapter of Luke opens with more political backdrop (see the significance here) before introducing us to John the Baptist all grown up.

John is a rough n’ tumble preacher proclaiming an unwavering message of pulling a hard U-turn back toward God.

The harsh rhetoric, which borders on vicious, thunders throughout the desert. His words demand people prepare their hearts and homes for the arrival of God, to make way for the parade of God’s salvation.

“You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath.” (Luke 3:7)

John doesn’t show a shade of concern with being politically correct.

Listeners’ hearts tear open. They must know how to respond. These big demands need practical every day answers or the people won’t be able to respond fully.

John the Baptist is put on the spot.

What should we do then? they ask. (Luke 3:10).

John is quick on his feet. No hesitation. No pause.

To the crowds, John instructs:

“Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

To the tax collectors, John instructs:

“Don’t collect any more than you are required to.”

To the soldiers, John instructs:

“Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

If you reread Luke 3:11-14, you’ll discover the question remains the same: What should we do?

The answer only differs based on who is asking the question.

As I reflect on the core question—what should we do?—or more personally—how should I live?—I’m wonderstruck by the simplicity and beauty of John’s response.

In essence, John’s instructions call us to:

Share.
Be Fair.
Dare to Live Content.

We’ve been blessed to be a blessing. So share what we have with those who don’t.

Be honest in all our dealings even when others are not. Practice fairness especially in an unjust system.

Dare to live a life of contentment no matter your power or position.

In some ways John the Baptist’s grace and wisdom-laced responses build on each other.

As we share, our hearts open to others.
As we practice honesty and fairness, our hearts open to others.
As we dare to live content, our hearts open to others.

Compassion gurgles and bubbles within us until we find ourselves living out the Shema to love God and humanity with everything.

Today, may we be the people who share, be fair, and learn to live content. Amen.

Which of these—share, be fair, or contentment—do you struggle with the most? Why?

62 Comments

  1. Janice S. Garey
    Janice S. Garey on April 28, 2016 at 6:18 am

    I think I struggle most in being fair in the sense of not being judgmental based on outward appearances. So many times I have preconceived ideas based on the hairstyle, clothing, accessories, etc. Today would I listen to a message from someone so out of sync as John the Baptist was with his culture? So, I really struggle and probably lose out on some of God’s good gifts because I don’t engage with all people. I am too choosy, unlike God who chooses all for salvation.

  2. Alee Behymer
    Alee Behymer on April 28, 2016 at 9:45 am

    Margaret, I have issues with all three, I think, but mainly sharing and contentment.

    My struggle with sharing is that I feel as though I never give enough, but John’s instruction is so simple – to share one with another if you have two. That’s it. I love it. I have never noticed this before. That we are only responsible for sharing ONE. We may keep the other for ourselves. We are allowed to care for ourselves and we are only responsible for sharing out of abundance. He even defines abundance for us. If you have two…

    Contentment is a struggle because I have many areas in my life where I am waiting on personal promises that God has made. Since they have yet to come to fruition, I find myself striving to ensure that they will happen, which is pointless because only God can cause them to occur and at the appointed time. And, the striving robs me of living contentedly and joyfully.

  3. Kathy Scott
    Kathy Scott on April 28, 2016 at 4:10 pm

    I think you meant to say “…living out the RHEMA to love God and humanity with everything.”

    The Rhema is the living Word…in essence, the Lord Jesus as the Living Word to find the godly balance in life through our conduct in a life of sharing, being fair to others and living content with our circumstances.

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