PASSION
BELIEVE
Luke 3:2-22
... during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation.’”
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? 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. 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.”
“What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
“Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.
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.”
The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.
John answered them all, “I baptize you with[b] water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with[c] the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.
But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.
The Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
REFLECTION
From the beginning of time, John the Baptist was chosen by God to serve, to prepare the way for Jesus. In order for John to fulfill his given calling. John had to lived in the wilderness, spent time with God and needed passion, before he began his public ministry. John lived alone in the dessert. John was a radical and not afraid to let anyone know it.
What gave John the strength, to persevere and be faithful in his given calling?
John spent time with God. He dwell in the presence of God and could not stay quiet.
John consumed with his mission. John knew of Jesus identity. He knew his task at hand.
John possessed as an exhorter, a strong sense of justice.
John sees things black and white.
John is a doer. He wouldn't sit still until he saw results.
John is a man of action. He didn't want the people to talk about repentance and faith alone, but to bring forth fruitfulness.
Passion is what keeps John going, and what makes his ministry effective.
What we can learned from John?
We do know in order to connect with people. We must have the passion, the love for God, and the love for the people. John took time to listen and spend time with God. John knew he needed the passion, faithfulness and obedience. John had to learn to trust and obey. John gave himself entirely to God so that the power of God can work through him. John knew how to connect with people's heart.
Not only John demonstrated what it means to be obedience, but he also reminding us that the greatness is not measured of what we have but by our faithfulness. What is means to surrender everything to God alone. What it means to repent.
Repentance means turning away from sins and turning toward God. To be truly repentant, we must do both. We can't just say we believe and then live any way we choose. God cannot bring forgiveness from our sin if we did not surrender completely to him and trusted him alone. John preached to the people about the importance of repentance. That his task is to prepare the road for Jesus. To prepare for Jesus coming to us. Therefore, our respond must focus on Jesus, listen to his words and obey. Believe!
Repentance must be ties to action. Following Jesus means more than saying the right words. It means acting on what it means or what he says. Don't rely on someone else faith for our salvation but rather we must seek personally. Our salvation is not handed down from parents to children, or to one person to another. It is an open invitation individually. A personal choice, our own free-will. To have a personal relationship with God required a personal commitment.
--- REPENT/BELIEVE/OBEY
John's baptism with water symbolized the washing away of our sins. Jesus baptism with fire includes the power needed to do God's will. The baptism with the Holy Spirit was fulfilled at Pentecost. The baptism with fire also symbolizes the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing God's judgement on those who refuse to repent.
How do we respond?
1. Willing to share what we have with those in need.
2. Whatever our task or our job, dot it well.
3. Be content with what God given us.
John is calling all of us to live in a right living. John spoke in urgency - for he was preparing the people for the coming Messiah. John also warned of impending judgment of those who refuse to live for God. And those who refuse to be used by God will be discarded because they have no value in furthering God's work. Those who repent and believe, God will hold a great value in His eyes. Jesus was the perfect human who did not need baptism for repentance, but was baptized anyway on our behalf.
When all the people were being baptized,
Jesus was baptized too.
And as he was praying,
heaven was opened
and the Holy Spirit descended on him
in bodily form like a dove.
And a voice came from heaven:
“You are my Son, whom I love;
with you I am well pleased."
Luke 3:21-22
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Copyright © 2017 Lourdes Stevens
