Father, I am grateful for Your presence, regardless of where I find myself – on my bus, at home, on the road. There is great comfort having You by my side throughout each and every day.
Luke 3:10-14 (<<click to read the passage)
It would be interesting to see comparative geographic maps of population numbers where people were hungry physically…and spiritually. I would really not be able to venture any guess as to how it would look specifically but I am sure that there would be areas where people would be well fed in both areas and malnourished in both areas. What may be most surprising is where we would find people who are well-nourished physically but emaciated spiritually – nothing but “skin and bones” And vice versa for people who barely get enough sustenance to keep them alive physically but are robust spiritually.
Reading these few verses about John the Baptist’s public ministry, it is thought-provoking to see, especially tax collectors and Roman soldiers, asking, “What should we do?” to get themselves right before God.
These two groups probably lacked for nothing. Each made their own way and could easily have done so by taking advantage of the less fortunate. They each could easily have eaten their fill any time they desired but were very much starving spiritually speaking. And, interestingly enough, they realized they were malnourished and were aggressively seeking out what they must do to correct that imbalance. Nobody guilted them. Nobody had to drag them kicking and screaming to see what John was up to – they were drawn and acted upon their need.
It makes one wonder, did any of this motley crew ever reach out to those associated with faith, asking for spiritual nourishment? It is not surprising that they probably both would have been turned away – rejected by those who could have offered hope – spiritual sustenance – because of who they were, how they lived and where life found them.
But take note, John did not reject them but challenged them to change. He didn’t say that where they found themselves was acceptable but strongly encouraged them all to repent of their many sins and then seek to live exemplary lives – sharing with those who needed it, working hard and doing it with the best of ability and the utmost fairness, and being content with what you had.
John most definitely set them on the straight and narrow. He fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy by preparing for the Lord’s coming, clearing the road for Him, filling valleys, leveling mountains, straightening curves and smoothing out the rough places! Everyone was seeing clearly the salvation sent from God! (Luke 3:4-6)
Lord Jesus, may we be as accepting, challenging and diligent as John was. May we be filled with Your compassion, love, and strength. Amen!
Nov 18th, 2019, Mon, 1:11 pm
