The people of God have always tried. They want to make things right. They desire to be right with God and with their fellow human beings. They try.
Admittedly, some try “harder than others.” Sometimes we are more successful than at “other times.” Sometimes we are more concerned…it sits right in front of us, on the front burner.
And sometimes, we are less concerned. We forget. We get wrapped up in oh so many other things…
Our minds wander and roam and become cluttered with that which is unimportant.
Sometimes we get caught up in the daily drama of life.
But for the most part we want to be acceptable in God’s sight. We really do!
What should “we do” they ask the Baptizer, they really wanted to know…what THEY should do?
How do WE proceed?
The way that John spoke, their future destiny depended on it. You do not mess around when it comes to YOUR future salvation.
John told them they had “a right to be concerned.”
A lot of folks are missing “that boat!”
John tells them to “skip the trip” to Goodwill and just give your extra coat to a person that doesn’t have one. Share! Give! Stop holding back.
Then get yourself down to the nearest food pantry or soup kitchen and go to work. Get busy. Help out. Serve others.
It made sense.
This world, living and life, is not ALL about US! Time and time again, we are told to have care and concern for the “other.”
We try to do what is right, sometimes…
We try to do that which is pleasing in God’s sight…sometimes…
Even tax collectors and soldiers wanted “concrete knowledge” about what they should do.
You do not mess around when it comes to YOUR future salvation.
Imagine, tax collectors…being concerned…and soldiers…who would have thought? They were the most unlikely sorts – to be so concerned…
Even those folks that were hated and despised by everyone were trying to look out for themselves, when it comes to salvation…
“Actual actions,” doing something, to prove that they have turned their lives around…and are headed in a new, different and better direction…not for God’s sake mind you, but for theirs…
John was talking repentance. He was talking getting right with God. Kind of like making “amends…”
Sometimes the word “recompense” was used and thrown around…to compensate or to make up for wrong doing…To make better, to improve, to put right, again…
We are all so capable of “messing up,” hurting others, causing harm and doing the wrong things…
You would think that by now, we would all know better…
But “NO” – not us…it takes us awhile to figure things out…and to get on top of things…
The light bulb has to turn on, first…we have to see the error of our ways…and that is precisely what John was doing…he was pointing out…that we all could do better.
And John was letting folks know that we are also capable of making things right again. We can do it. We are capable.
Sometimes we just have to be pushed a little. John saw that as being his job. He was there to gently nudge and push people in the right direction.
The ancient blogosphere was a buzzing with speculation that John might be the Messiah. The long awaited one…
He certainly looked the part! He appeared out of nowhere just like a prophet of old. A little bit crude and definitely rough around the edges…
But he crushed that speculation. That wasn’t his gig. That was for someone else.
Instead he reminded people of right and wrong. Don’t collect a penny more than you’re supposed to…don’t bully anyone. Don’t intimidate others…Do what you are supposed to…
Make God smile upon you and be gracious to you, let him know let him see that you belong to him…
A time is coming…a day is coming…when the Messiah will come. He will eventually show up. God will send him to us and for us. And when he does, let him know, you are on his side. When it comes to YOUR future salvation – you do not mess around.