Luke (1:1-4) 3:1-14
1Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.
3:1In 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, 2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4as 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. 5Every 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; 6and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"
7John 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? 8Bear 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. 9Even 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."
10And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?" 11In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." 12Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?" 13He said to them, "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you." 14Soldiers 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."
2 comments:
There are two distinct parts to this pericope. First, we have John's prophesy of the coming Messiah, and what the world will be like when Jesus comes...the crooked paths made straight rough plains made smooth etc. And, it makes me wonder what we would have done with the message of the coming savior. How do we receive prophesy. The closest thing I can liken it to today is the threat of impending doom brought on by Global warming.
Which brings us to the second section...how can we get ready? I think many of us are asking these same questions about our environment how can we get ready how can we change things? And, others, probably ignore the whole prophesy.
Our world lives with two prophesies Jesus will come back...how will we get ready and the more immediate effect of global warming or economic deterioration. So, how will we get ready...or will we ignore the whole issue?
I think Global Warming is a real sign. I also see the economy as a real sign too. I mean how much do we really need in all the stores? If the cost of just about everything goes up, how high can it go? And what will it be like for generations to come? It seems glutanous (sp?) at times.
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