Stroll through Scripture for January 12, 2025

Based on Luke 3:1-22

Luke is the Gospel that sounds more like an argument than the other three.  Chapter 1 shows us very clearly that it is written in a letter style to “Theophilus” taking on an apologetic tone in defense of Jesus and the faith.  And from there, it dives into conflict.  The conflict comes each time we hear about who is in charge to proclaim the empire’s message versus who is ordained to deliver God’s message.  

Many of the sections of Luke are marked by time passages based on who is the civil authority or based on something taking place.  This matches with what Luke tells us in Chapter 1 – “I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you…” (vs. 3).  

Chapter 3 continues this pattern, with some addition.  In this case Luke names all the people with civil and religious authority at the time.  These would be the people/powers that Jesus would conflict with at the end of his earthly ministry.  Is it any wonder then that we hear about John, the final prophet of God before the Messiah, with a message of repentance?  

What is most interesting is that the people leave the city, with its orderliness, sense of control, displays of power and might, and symbols showing loyalty to Rome, and venture away from all that into the wilderness.  The wilderness symbolically is the furthest point away from civilization and all it represents.  In the wilderness, none of the man-made structures, buildings, institutions, or governance can interfere with God’s kingdom and message.  There’s far fewer distractions and voices drawing attention away. 

For all the fire and brimstone that John offers in the first section of Chapter 3, the tone changes considerably when he responds to the crowd’s question of what they should do beginning in verse 10.  It’s a message summarized by share your clothes and your food, be fair, and be satisfied.  That hardly sounds radical.  Except what John is saying was radical and still is today.  “Don’t be a jerk” is a good summary of what he is saying.  And it still applies.  We have huge problems with hoarding materials and food, businesses and people trying to squeeze every penny out of others, and with cruelty.  What John is proclaiming is Good News because it sets aside the commonly practiced ways of the world, for a new way – God’s way.  

Question for further reflection:

• What John is proclaiming is radical because it is contrasting with the common ways of humanity and empire.  How is this message still radical today?