A response. The response of those listening to John the Baptist. Forgive me as I have to have somewhere to get some thoughts out for consideration. This blog is going to be my place for it today.
An interesting question, a response to John's preaching. John is merely doing his job, pronouncing the coming of Jesus. He talks about the obstacles that Jesus is going to overcome. Hill and mountains (depending on the translation) made low. Valleys being lifted up...words describing the leveling of the playing field so to speak.
Repent, the Kingdom of God is near. John uses the imagery of fire and water. "I baptize you with water, but one is coming who will baptize with fire..." Water makes things clean, fire can change the nature of something. It transforms. I've never heard this as an allusion to 'repent or you'll go to hell.' Think about it. When is the last time you heard those words? Probably the last time you saw bullhorn guy (thanks Nooma). I don't think Jesus came to burn us up...he came to change our nature. Good thing too...he showed us what nature to turn into.
There are three major times in the NT when the 'what should we do' comes into play. First, here in Luke 3...I'll get back there in a sec. Next, Acts 2:37, and the listeners are told to repent. Repent=say I'm sorry and work at allowing God to change your nature on _______ issue. Next, Acts 9:6...Saul's conversion to Paul, Saul can't see and is told to go into the city and he'll be told what to do. Jesus doesn't threaten him (never really thought of it this way until now) just asks why he's persecuting him. Paul is not burnt up with 'fire,' the fire of Jesus changes his nature.
Next Acts 16:30, Paul and Silas in jail. Big earthquake, doors opened but nobody leaves. Jailer: 'What must I do...' Paul: believe on Jesus. Jailer gives Paul a meal the next day (and some medical attention). No fires, no hell, just a penitent heart.
Finally, back to Luke. John uses all his repentance stuff. The people respond, 'what should we do?' Answer? Give away your extra clothes, treat people fairly, do your job honorably...someone is coming who can and will change your nature, I mean come with fire. It seems that firey hell wasn't part of the plan, and doesn't sound like Jesus came to send us there. Doesn't even really sound like Jesus came to keep us out of there.
Seems that Jesus wants to change our nature into his. You light something on fire and pretty soon it's all fire and you can't tell the difference between what was and wasn't on fire to begin with.
John? A social activist? No, not John. He uses that fire language...
Hmpf...turns out you can be both, and be better for it...
See, he's crazy, not stupid...
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2 comments:
Happy New Year...
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that John the Baptist could have more than one purpose, hope and vision. Thanks for your thoughts, they are encourging.
Ryan, I'm looking at making a collaborative blog in which we could have a group of young leaders join in on a discussion and pull resource they have or have created together. By doing this I hope we create a site that is a space to learn from and with each other while providing a online tool for others. Would you be one of the contributors? Get back to me...
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