More from Luke... I've been meditating on John's prophetic mandate as a forerunner to prepare people for Jesus (Luke 1:16-17). So, what was John's prophetic message. How do we prepare ourselves for Jesus?
Luke 3:8-10: "Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father,' for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." If I had been there, I would ask the same question they did, "Then what shall we DO?"
"The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise." (vs.11)
And to the tax collectors, "Collect no more than what you have been ordered." And to the soldiers, "Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages." (vs. 14) [Don't use positions of power/influence/authority to enrich yourself or malign or imprison others unjustly].
It seems that John's prophetic mandate of preparing people for Jesus centered around teaching them to live in a socially just manner. Perhaps this is how we bear fruits in keeping with repentance. Perhaps our faith is evidenced more by our actions and lifestyles than by our proclamations.
(ie: 'We have Abraham as our father'). What do you think?
"THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS,
MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD..."
Friday, April 11, 2008
Making Ready the Way of the Lord
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
Very wise :)
What really impacts me, besides the pictures, is the holistic approach to Christ-life you are putting forth. Far too often there is a dichotomy and emphasis on either "spiritual" or "natural," but there is a way of living in God that emulates Christ in all aspects of life. I guess this kind of ties into your last post...
shane, I agree with your thoughts as well. The dichotomy you refer to is actually a form of Gnosticism and Greek thought, not a part of what it means to follow Jesus. It is such a travesty that so many followers of Jesus are making this error today.
Sarah, again I really enjoy your thoughts and agree with your conclusion. I am more and more convinced of this. Your pictures are really great. I travel to Africa quite often (spent two weeks there in March going again in May) so they bring good memories to mind. I love Africa and the people there but my heart breaks because of the poverty, violence and other difficulties in their lives. It is such a complicated situation and difficult to make a difference in people's lives there.
Thanks again.
Thanks, Shane. Amen.
Traveller, where in Africa do you go? Shane (my husband) is leaving on Wednesday for Kampala, Uganda with fellow students in his graduate program (human security and peacebuilding) to work with Makrere University. Yes, the needs are great. We do what we can... and obey as the Lord leads us. Shane's had to opportunity to transport much needed supplies with him to a Christian-run orphanage in Kampala. A small thing, but you gotta start somewhere, right?
Great post - kinda reminds me of faith and works as described in James.
"Perhaps our faith is evidenced more by our actions and lifestyles than by our proclamations."
Absolutely! Sad that a senator feels the need to investigate some of us with extravagant lifestyles :(
Mork, yes, I think so. It's evidence of our relationship if God - a natural byproduct of His love at work in our lives.
K-Bob, truly, that is sad.
That is great about Shane. I wish you were going as well.
Even though I have spent time in most parts of Africa I travel mainly to West Africa now....Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Sao Tome....
Sometimes help is just one life at a time. Fortunately, I go often enough to have some friends there which opens doors to help.
Traveller, I would like to go as well. But Shane being a student, it's pretty much out of the question financially. Perhaps there will be opportunities in the future...
Btw, I'd love it if you blogged. I'd subscribe! :)
Sarah, I believe you will go to Africa one day.
Thank you for the kind words about blogging....but it would be difficult to do as well as you do.
In addition, I travel to places where followers of Jesus are not always welcome so I wish to remain anonymous. For now, I am not comfortable blogging anonymously.
I enjoy learning from you and seeing your love for Father and others.
I understand. That would be difficult. HA! Just kidding! :D
Post a Comment