What Should We Do?

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7 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? 8 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. 9 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.” 10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. 11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” 13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. 14 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.” (Luke 3:7-14)

The gospel of Luke lays out the words of John the Baptizer in greater detail than the other gospels, while continually emphasizing that his message is good news. Though John is extremely direct, he's also inclusive. This good news is for everyone - those with means and those without, those who feel oppressed and those considered to be the oppressors. People who would not have chosen to interact with each other stood shoulder to shoulder as they listened to John's message and waited to be baptized. This meeting of unlike minds and disparate lifestyles, united by their desire for renewal, was as much a part of the good news as the sermon they heard.

The instructions from John may seem like common sense notions for just being a decent person - share with those in need, don't cheat or lie or be greedy. But we are still in need of these reminders. We are still inclined to live with the selfish mindset: "what's mine is mine, and you've got yours to get". We live with the reality that predatory practices like high-interest loans disproportionately target the most vulnerable. And we often have difficulty distinguishing our needs from our wants. John's words remain relevant, and they are still for everyone.

The Advent season isn't just preparing us to commemorate the birth of Jesus. It also helps us experience joy in the tangible ways that we can welcome Jesus everyday. There is joy in intentionally turning away from mindsets that distance us from God and God's purposes. There is joy in actively seeking right relationship with our Creator and one another. There is joy in knowing these blessed opportunities are available to all. This is joy that no thing and no one can take away. This is good news!

15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with 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 the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 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.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them. (Luke 3:15-18)