Share with Anyone

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

Years ago, when my daughters were young, sharing among them was often difficult. The biggest thing that was fought over was the favorite hairbrush. It would disappear regularly and found in one bedroom or another. I finally lost patience with the hairbrush wars, and drilled a hole in the brush handle, put a bungy cord through the hole and attached to the wall next to the bathroom mirror. We could, then, always find the hairbrush. Of course, it didn't mean there weren't squabbles over other things. We are all human. When asked what to do, John gave some very simple tasks. Share, feed, be fair and be satisfied, love your neighbor, whoever they might be. 

Gracious Creator, your love is so broad

yet we often try to hoard your blessings

what you ask from each of us who follow

is that we share and feed the needs here.

You sent John to declare your healing

your promise to make the way level

that Your love was for every human being

and offer repentance and healing for all.

Let us hear the the promise and the direction

from John's repeating ancient words of promise

make us humble so we might serve the world

carrying your love to our places of challenge. Amen.