In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 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 region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'”
John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.” Luke 3:1-14
This weekend is the first time I could start light exercise after my back surgery. I got in the pool and did some laps, more slowly and more awkwardly than I would have liked. My very crooked spine has straightened out some, but it will be a full year until we know things are truly healed. So I did my limited work out and feeling a wee bit sorry for myself I slunk into the hot tub to soothe my tender muscles. When I was getting out a little girl asked me why I wasn't practicing. I told her I was done for the day. She said, "good job!" and gave me a high five. How a simple act of acknowledgment and affirmation can remind us that God is always working to straighten the crooked, mend the broken and surround us in out times of weary despair.
The opening chapters of Luke tell us about the ministry of John. He unfolds the principals that Jesus will reaffirm throughout his ministry. Compassion, sharing and love will be the signs of those who love God. John was baptizing the people who came to him and he gave them life lessons as they went on their way. God is with us in our times of weariness and despair, and we, who have received love and healing are invited to share what we have with others. A simple lesson we learned as small children, to acknowledge the good in others and to concern ourselves with their well being.
Today I ask God to help me follow the direction of God and the little girl I met yesterday. May we encourage those who need it, lift up those who stumble and share with all those who come our way today.
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