There “can be” a pretentiousness about some religious folks.
Because they “are” religious [or] because they “practice” their religious faith – some may think themselves to be “better” than others.
Some people “think” they have an exclusive “in” with God.
Many a joke has been written about this group or that group that thinks “they and they alone” are saved.
You cannot allow things to “go to your head.” You cannot think you are better than you really-truly are!
Superior or condescending attitudes are obviously not very helpful.
Chairing the parish finance committee, teaching Sunday School for 110 years, filling out your annual Time and Talent Sheet-ON-TIME and actually TURNING IT IN, cutting the church lawn are all honorable, kind and caring things to do, they are extremely helpful and necessary – but doing them – does not make you better than anyone else.
Being among the “best givers” in the Temple in Jerusalem was considered to be “positive proof” that you were blessed by God. But did that giving carry more weight than it should have?
Some people think they have earned God’s favor. Others think they DESERVE it. They have it coming to them. Some even go so far as to believe that they have God-in-their-back-pockets.
Some people truly believe that they have an “in” with God because of their “upbringing.” Others say it is in their “genes or in the blood” flowing through their veins.
There are those folks who seemingly have it all together, who are self-made men or self-made women. They make things happen. They owe nothing to anyone. They are more than ok all by themselves. They have everything under control. They need no one.
There is a lot of pretense in our world, in general. And, people presume all kinds of things…
John the Baptizer was “less than impressed” when he saw a group of Sadducees and Pharisees headed in his direction…
Because they were “the elect of God,” because they were “God’s chosen people”…because they were “handpicked by the almighty” himself they “presumed” they (and they alone) had God’s favor. They were far above everyone else. They were righteous!
And yet they came – seeking John out…and “they” represented the religious leadership…the cream of the crop. The “top dogs,” as it were.
These were the “holy ones” – the people of power and prestige. These were the ones that others looked up to…the ones on pedestals. The religious ones…
Oh yeah, they came strolling out to see John in the wilderness with their entire pretense following right behind them.
And John saw them coming…
And John, being who John was – didn’t even give them a little bit of credit for making the journey.
He knew they were up to no good. He knew they were spying on him. He knew this was all about entrapment. They were on some kind of a fact-finding mission that would no doubt lead to censure and silencing…
“You brood of Vipers,” he roared- “Who told you to flee from the wrath that is to come?”
You only think you have “special privilege”…well I am here to tell you, and others just like you – there is “no special status.”
No one is more “special” than another, none more favored than another, none more privileged, none more smarter, none holier.
Your lineage means absolutely nothing out here…in the wilderness.
So John, who looks and acts like a crazy man tells the religious folks that they need to repent. They who think they are so very holy had better drop to their knees. For a “true holy one” is coming…shortly.
And the only proper preparation for his coming … is repentance. And so the time for repentance is now…
Everyone needs to repent…there are no exceptions! No, not one!
In Biblical terms, repentance is not so much about “feeling sorry” – or about “forgiveness.” It is more about being in a “right relationship with God.” A relationship that cannot be inherited or earned…
Repentance is all about changing attitudes and behavior to align with God’s desires for us all.
The clock is ticking…
Repentance is what is called for…and Advent asks it – from each and every one of us!