December 15: Zephaniah 3:14-20, Luke 3:7-18
Text Message for the Third Sunday of Advent
Background: Once again we hear from John the Baptizer. As a prophet, John doesn’t worry about what people think of him, hence his rather insulting language. While we tend to think of prophets as people who are able to predict the future, the real job of a prophet is to apply God’s Word to the present situation. Since that Word has power, often there are consequences for the future. John’s prophetic mission is unusual because he is particularly concerned with individuals, rather than with the people of God as a community.
Think and talk: Although John’s message brings no comfort, people are going out of their way to hear from him. Why do you think his message was so popular? Have you ever had the experience of hearing an unpleasant message and knowing that it was the truth? How did you respond? Can you think of any life-giving messages coming from unwanted sources in your world today?
Looking around: Many in John’s audience are religious outsiders– soldiers (who are not Jewish), and tax collectors. Somehow they know they need John’s message, even as he demands that they change their ways. As you go about your life this week, take a moment to reflect on how the people around you may indeed be searching for some deeper reality. What can you do to be a conduit of that hope? What can Christians do to demonstrate their life in Christ to be a blessing?