Today's Scripture
John the Baptist: Luke 3:1-14
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: Matthew 3 Mark 1 Luke 3 (CEB)
In the fifteenth year of the rule of the emperor Tiberius—when Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea and Herod was ruler over Galilee, his brother Philip was ruler over Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was ruler over Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas—God’s word came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 John went throughout the region of the Jordan River, calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. 4 This is just as it was written in the scroll of the words of Isaiah the prophet,
A voice crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way for the Lord;
make his paths straight.
5 Every valley will be filled,
and every mountain and hill will be leveled.
The crooked will be made straight
and the rough places made smooth.
6 All humanity will see God’s salvation.”
7 Then John said to the crowds who came to be baptized by him, “You children of snakes! Who warned you to escape from the angry judgment that is coming soon? 8 Produce fruit that shows you have changed your hearts and lives. And don’t even think about saying to yourselves, Abraham is our father. I tell you that God is able to raise up Abraham’s children from these stones. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be chopped down and tossed into the fire.”
10 The crowds asked him, “What then should we do?”
11 He answered, “Whoever has two shirts must share with the one who has none, and whoever has food must do the same.”
12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. They said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?”
13 He replied, “Collect no more than you are authorized to collect.”
14 Soldiers asked, “What about us? What should we do?”
He answered, “Don’t cheat or harass anyone, and be satisfied with your pay.”
What does this passage mean to me/us
John the Baptist was a sensational figure to the people in Jerusalem. Not only his lifestyle of holiness was unique, but his message proclaiming and preparing for the way of the Lord was also significant. He was straightforward.
Why did all these people flock to John the Baptist?
Because they were thirsty for justice.
Justice does not come by one or two leaders. Justice comes when all members of the society live for justice.
Living for justice means that we need to follow and live according to God’s way, not ours.
And it shows that it needed to start with the followers.
Are we living in a pursuit for justice?
Prayer
Lord, we see the sobering reality of injustice in this world. Help us to follow your ways and live for your justice to come. Let us see how ‘justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream’ (Amos 5:24). In Christ name, we pray, AMEN.
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