Forgetful.
A word that tends to define all of us from time to time, but a word that ruled my life for the span of 6 hours yesterday. After forgetting my class started at 4pm yesterday and not 4:30, I was reemed out by my teacher. Even though I had been in the building since 3pm and was doing the homework for the class.
Then there's the whole forgetting to post Luke Chapter 3 last night, my apologies, especially to Jared and Kim whom I know read these postings rather early. Anyway, I hope you were still able to read and write down your comments on some other medium until I had gotten to posting.
Happy Reading,
Steven Mammolito
p.s. It is the NRSV.
Luke 3
The Proclamation of John the Baptist
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.” ’
7 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? 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 axe 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.’
10 And 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.’
15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,* 16John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with* the Holy Spirit and fire. 17His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’
18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. 19But Herod the ruler,* who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, 20added to them all by shutting up John in prison.
The Baptism of Jesus
21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved;* with you I am well pleased.’*
The Ancestors of Jesus
23 Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his work. He was the son (as was thought) of Joseph son of Heli, 24son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of Joseph, 25son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai, 26son of Maath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech, son of Joda, 27son of Joanan, son of Rhesa, son of Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel,* son of Neri, 28son of Melchi, son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, son of Er, 29son of Joshua, son of Eliezer, son of Jorim, son of Matthat, son of Levi, 30son of Simeon, son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonam, son of Eliakim, 31son of Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David, 32son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Sala,* son of Nahshon, 33son of Amminadab, son of Admin, son of Arni,* son of Hezron, son of Perez, son of Judah, 34son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of Nahor, 35son of Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Eber, son of Shelah, 36son of Cainan, son of Arphaxad, son of Shem, son of Noah, son of Lamech, 37son of Methuselah, son of Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahalaleel, son of Cainan, 38son of Enos, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God.
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I like to imagine John and Jesus as buds.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting and challenging to me how obedient and
humble John is. Imagine knowing that you are doing all
this work, but not for your glory...John didn't compromise
his work or his words so that he could be known, but so that
the way would be prepared for Jesus. That to me is a challenge
to us. It's so tempting to want the glory for myself.
Also, love the word pictures the Bible gives. Specifically,
He will baptize you with* the Holy Spirit and fire. 17His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’
If someone was talking to me like that I would be very engaged.
And can someone explain the whole baptizing with fire?
Is he using it as a metaphor for refining?
-kgills
"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."
ReplyDeleteHe seems to say to the people not to rest on some false assurance of high position based on their ancestry... but to recognize God's foundation instead. like.."i don't care who your dad was... God can make kids from rocks son!"
-pete
And 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.’
ReplyDeleteI love simple instructions on how to live, If you have two, give one away, if you have food, share it, Don't take more than your share, be nice to people, and be happy with what you have.
Simple is not easy, just simple.
joe
I am so happy to see so many people reading and participating in this. Steve - you have done a marvelous thing here my friend. I might even say I am the John the Baptist to your Jesus.
ReplyDeleteIs that wrong?
Hahaha, no I think that's pretty kosher... My thoughts to follow later.
ReplyDeleteKathleen - The question about the baptism with fire is a great one. I'm not totally sure what the answer is, but I think the rest of Luke and Acts (which Luke also wrote) gives some important clues.
ReplyDeleteFor instance, in Luke 12 Jesus says that he came to bring fire upon the earth and connects it with the baptism which consumes him. He then says that he has come NOT to bring peace, but division (this is odd b/c elsewhere Jesus is all about peace). Here in Luke, though, the division that Jesus is talking about is about family...Jesus is saying that the fire that he brings (the baptism he brings) divides Christ-follower from family (and from all social/cultural allegiances). This fire-baptism is inauguration into radical allegiance to Christ alone. This makes perfect sense of the John the Baptist story - it doesn't matter if you're a child of Abraham by birth b/c God can raise up true children of Abraham from stones...all that matters is that Christ has called you to follow him and so you become baptized into this radical allegiance. It also doesn't matter if you're a total screw up (i.e., tax collectors, prostitutes, high-school drop outs). These sins and the social groups that are associated with them do not matter b/c Jesus' baptism brings a fire that divides you from them...they can hold you back from following him no more than being a child of Abraham by birth can help you. All that matters, is that upon hearing the call to repent and be baptized - you repent and be baptized and follow him.
The other interesting place where the Holy Spirit and fire is mentioned together is in Acts at Pentecost. At Pentecost, God sends the Spirit of Christ onto the disciples and 'tongues of fire' rest on them. All of a sudden they were able to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them ability. With this, they were able to proclaim the Gospel to people from all over the earth - to all sorts of people. Two conclusions to be drawn about this. 1) the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire mean that you are baptized and ordained into the mission of Christ - to proclaim the Gospel to all people. This baptism isn't primarily for your benefit then, it is for that of the world around you. 2) the Spirit and fire enabled them to preach to all kinds of people, i.e., not just children of Abraham by birth. This means that family blood-lines, heritage, culture, socio-economic status, etc. are no longer boundaries that matter - Jesus Christ is for all people, and so, we are for and are sent to all people.
This is long...but I just love Luke. Also, Pete, you're right. The verse about God being able to raise up children of Abraham from stones is simply unbelievable. This is something never to forget. No matter who you are or where you've come from (you may be as good as dead), God is able to raise you up to be his son or daughter. This is a good verse to keep in the back of your mind all of the time...and it is a very helpful filter through which to read Luke and Acts.
-matt.
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ReplyDelete18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. 19But Herod the ruler,* who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, 20added to them all by shutting up John in prison.
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty bold thing, to rebuke a ruler. John was a bold man for sure. Rebuking people for outright sin is not the people-pleasing, politically correct or popular thing to do. Not that I'd ever feel fit to go on a sin-exposing campaign.. I have enough crud in my own heart to wrestle with everyday..
I just wonder.. what about obvious sin in other's lives? Are we ignoring it or avoiding it to keep friends?
I only feel comfortable to speak into someone's life, as far as rebuking goes, in truth and love if I'm prompted by the Holy Spirit to do so. But I suppose that's for a fellow believer?
I don't know if Herod was a believing man.. from what I have read, it doesn't seem so.
So John calls Herod out on his marriage to his brother's wife.. and it seems unlikely it's said in 'truth and love'. He's pretty much exposing him.. which lands John in jail.. and ultimately leads to his death.
Any thoughts?
17His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. . . . 18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.
ReplyDeleteI always read this verse(and some of the other preceding verses, brood of vipers, flee from the wrath that is to come etc.) and think boy this doesn't sound like particularly good news. I think in one sense it is great news for the out caste, the poor, the brokenhearted. The time of justice is here! I think it also may be good news for people who are doing such evil in the world in that their sin has been declared and laid bare. This is their chance to repent (literally turn around).
It forces me to ponder what good news is. Do we think of God's good news as simply yea God loves us so whatever we do is ok by him? Or do we think of God's good news as -Hey your life is a mess. You are doing evil, but God is calling you to turn from that so turn and embrace the life you were created for.
It is good news. It is also truthful news. He is bluntly honest with us. God (and his messenger John) doesn't pretend that everything is ok. Something is wrong and when something is wrong the bearer of good news is the one who will be honest about the problem. I think it is ultimately great news, but boy it sure doesn't sound like it at first.
6and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” ’
ReplyDeleteWhat a way to kick off the chapter, immediately telling you that the man soon to come is the Son of God who will give us salvation. Salvation really seems to be a reoccurring theme early in the book of Luke.
For those who were at Church on Sunday, interestingly enough there was this passage in our reading “8Bear fruits worthy of repentance.” To bear fruits worthy of The Holy Spirit. To grow enough to be able to bear the fruits that can come from a fulfilling life.
15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,* 16John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with* the Holy Spirit and fire. 17His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’
Simply astonishing. What a great and simple way to tell of the coming. That the Messiah is more powerful than I, that as I baptize your body, he will baptize your spirit.
I definitely skipped the genealogy for now, but maybe I’ll come back to it. We’ve had this in a series of sermons, but it does take a very long time to go over all of this.
--Steven Mammolito