Introduction
Loud, blunt, specific and deploying strong words, John spells out what a change of heart and mind ought to look like by describing what is ‘a good way to live’: share what we have plenty of; do not take what is not ours; and be content with what we have been given.
In the News
Do you think John would have been viewed with favour by the agents of terror by the status quo? Would he himself be considered an enemy of the state with all the intelligence and listening devices turned towards him and the crowds following him, hungry for hope? What words would he have for the way we treat those drowning/dying, seeking refuge at our gates, nations opting for wars, corporations and governments making a profit in the selling of arms, for government policies creating a prolonged kind of economic and environmental terror, and our complicity in polluting mother earth? Would John’s pointing to the the coming of a powerful figure with a more radical baptism locate him as a threat to national security?
Reflection
Living out our baptism
God’s way is demanding. A mindset that ‘once baptized’ all is well is a non-starter. Hence, John’s message: live out that baptism or prepare for the axe. Bear fruits that God desires – righteousness and justice for all, especially the vulnerable. How can we claim that we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength if we fail to practice justice?
Righting relationships
John’s challenge is to right relationships with God and with neighbours. Subversion is at work here, directed at greed, annexing, complicity and exploitation. Thus, those with more than they need must share; those bent on milking the poor should stop stealing from their neighbours; and those in power should not take advantage of citizens for their own gain.
In God’s Eyes
It is tempting, with the plethora of alluring oratorical voices, to succumb to perspectives that take our gaze off the way of God and dull our sense of justice. Here is John reminding listeners and us of the need to be mindful of what is most important in life: that of a new kind of existence where love rules, overcoming fears and offering hope in the midst of despair.
So ‘turn around’...
This call for more than change of mind and heart: it is a complete turning away from self-absorption and a turning to God and the way of abundant life for all. The transforming power of faith is lost when we have grown too complacent. Faith is connected to faithfulness – our way of living in the world around us. It is a costly undertaking as John later discovered.
Doing faith
So what should we do? Here is an invitation to consider our own actions, to give thought to what we own, store away, buy, the people we pass by daily, what we eat, how we are living, what we are voicing opposition to, and much more. What is important here are not the answers but the question (what shall I do?): for what this question does is to give agency to God, letting God take concrete shape(s) in our lives.
Prayer
This prayer could be used as the Collect, or as part of a prayer of confession.
Give us clean hearts, O God,
that our lives may reflect generosity, integrity,
and contentment worthy of walking your way.
Disturb our comfortableness
when we take your way of full life for all for granted.
As we journey on,
turn us around to walk in your way of love, joy and hope.
We pray in the name of one who embodies peace.
Amen.
Questions
- What, then, should we do?
- Where do we (individually and collectively) need to turn around?
- What are the fruits of we might bear?
- How can your specific context can become the location of good news?
Action
We are invited to share what we have enough of, to not take what is not ours, and to be content with what we have been gifted. Are we able to act on any or all of these?
Young people
- What then should I do?
- How about considering simple kindness and everyday justice?
- How can your specific context can become the location of good news?
- Commit yourself to contributing to one or two of these.
Michael Jagessar facilitates the United Reformed Church’s work on Global and Intercultural Ministries.
Hypertext links to other websites are for the convenience of users only and do not constitute any endorsement or authorisation by ROOTS for Churches Ltd.