Park Avenue Presbyterian Church; Des Moines, Iowa
Texts: Zephaniah 3: 14-20
Isaiah 12: 2-6
Philippians 4: 4-7
Luke 3: 7-18 *
“What then should we do? Teacher, what should we do? And what should WE do?”
--} By the third week of Advent, perhaps you’re thinking, “we’re at least half-way through!” Surely by now, it’s OK to get into the “Christmas Spirit,” isn’t it?
John the Baptizer called the anxious crowds who went into the wilderness to see and hear him, “you brood of vipers! …even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees”. And even with such harsh words, the crowds were still “filled with expectation” thronging to hear his exhortations and seeking the answer to their questions: “whether or not John might be the Messiah?” So maybe, just “MAYBE,” we’re not so bad off—feeling excited about our own encounter with the coming One.
But I’ve been puzzling over how confusing this time often is for us—Advent or Christmas; kind of like the expectant and anxious crowds who thought John the Baptist might be the promised messiah. We get excited and reverse the seasons, changing advent for Christmas, but we don’t confuse John the Baptist with Jesus, and maybe we should!
When first-century people confused Jesus with the “Messiah,” it was often about Jesus being the one who comes to lead the overthrow of the Romans; the one who would dare to claim a kingship in this world on behalf of God; the one who displaces and replaces worldly powers. But as it turns out, Jesus IS NOT “that” Messiah. And though Luke tells us that those waiting anxiously and expectantly and who heard John, got messianic visions—neither is John the Baptizer. When first-century people confused Jesus with the “Messiah,” it was often about Jesus being the one who comes to lead the overthrow of the Romans; the one who would dare to claim a kingship in this world on behalf of God; the one who displaces and replaces worldly powers. But as it turns out, Jesus IS NOT “that” Messiah. And though Luke tells us that those waiting anxiously and expectantly and who heard John, got messianic visions—neither is John the Baptizer.
John the Baptist was known as a “fiery” preacher and teacher, which at least was part of his appeal. So he’s right in his element talking about the ax at the root of the trees not bearing good fruit and being cut down and thrown into the fire; or the chaff burned with unquenchable fire; or even what seems to be the “fire of purification” as the “one after him” is said to “baptize” with the Holy Spirit and with fire. It might be a “curious” message, but hardly a “popular” one with judgment in the offing for lots of folks. But when the crowds ask, “what shall we do,” something extraordinary happens.
In the heart of John the Baptist’s instructions to the crowds we find an incredible “Jesus message” of social justice and righteousness:
“The crowds asked John, ‘What then should we do?’ and in reply he said to them, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’ Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ John said to them, ‘Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.’ Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what should we do?’ and John said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages’.”
Suddenly, John is about more than a “threat” of “fiery punishment,” but rather has a fiery spirit for justice being served—promising not detrimental consequences but a new way of life—the same kind of life Jesus will go on to embody and teach. Compare these verses with Jesus’ later ministry, and we’d find a lot of similarities for Christ-followers; but knowing that John the Baptist appears before Jesus’ ministry is established, and the comparison is backwards. Jesus appears more like John the Baptist rather than John the Baptist looks like Jesus.
So if John the Baptizer is being confused with the Messiah, it’s not that he’s being confused with Jesus; it’s his prophetic voice and fiery message that seems to match the “promised one.” John is in the wilderness, appearing as if he’s building a popular following with fiery preaching and the promises of the winnowing fork and burning chaff, speaking to what is to come. And Jesus should be proud.
So, if there were a bunch of people just waiting around so “see” Jesus…? If there were a bunch of people just waiting around, hoping to “walk in Jesus’ ways”…? If there were a bunch of people, thinking that Jesus and his ministry might be “interesting,” at least…? …John the Baptist surely must be a surprise—not because of his fiery reputation, but because of his social-justice viewpoints. If there were a bunch of people just sitting around and “waiting” for Jesus, perhaps a better opportunity is provided by actually listening to John’s perspective.
• Whoever has two coats must share one (even in this cold weather!);
• Whoever has food must do likewise (even if you don’t have a double-supply);
• Take in no more than your share, or what you’re actually due, or have earned—really;
• And be satisfied with your wages, never resorting to false means to obtain more.
Surely, John the Baptist already has in mind what Jesus will eventually proclaim: “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.”
Luke clearly sees John the Baptist as Isaiah’s “voice” crying out in the wilderness, “prepare the way of the Lord.” But John the Baptist isn’t simply an “announcer” that “Jesus is coming.” Instead, he too is a “proclaimer,” one who claims the present time and the present kingdom to be Christ’s own—but not by virtue of Jesus’ coming, all by itself. Instead, John proclaims a whole new way of being, a whole new ethic for those who would be looking for Jesus. John the Baptist issues any would-be believers the challenge of not just waiting for Jesus to “come,” but to get to work living the Kingdom’s values. Because living the kingdom’s values sets the stage; and when the stage is set, Jesus comes—not in fiery judgment, but final salvation. If you want to celebrate Jesus, then demonstrate the ways of the kingdom where Jesus resides; so that he may come and be at home with us.
At the beginning of this so-called “holiday season,” when “Thanksgiving” often marks the acceptable beginning of the rush toward Christmas celebrating—with shopping and parties and programs all coming earlier and earlier as if December 25th comes with the plague—we used to believe that we were getting ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus. But by this third week of Advent, we grow weary of the waiting. Maybe we still are trying to celebrate Jesus’ birth as we try to remind ourselves frequently and often that “Jesus is the reason for this season;” but John the Baptist opens the door to a whole different kind of “preparation” doesn’t he? Saying to the “brood of vipers” who seemingly wanted to escape the realities of their own day—“who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” We too, can be so busy with our Christmas rush and our Christmas fuss that we can’t see anymore those who have no coats or less food; those who are taken advantage of; those threatened with violence. And our focus on our holiday celebrations—while filling us with cheer—is precisely the kind of escapism John the Baptist accuses the “brood of vipers” of.
The good news of this season is not just to be found in the Christmas birth story—but the new world God is bringing into being in Jesus. John the Baptist sets the tone, points anyone who would seek to follow Jesus toward the pathway of Jesus’ ministry—selfless giving, and caring for others as much as or even above ourselves. And while we’ll all do a lot this season to think of others, and we’ll add in a little extra for various organizations and “good causes,” we’ll still be way over-focused on things that aren’t “the reason for this season.” Listen to the prophet when the others ask, “what then shall we do?” And be a prophet, a “preparer” for Jesus’ way—by taking up the mantle:
• Whoever has two coats must share one (even in this cold weather!);
• Whoever has food must do likewise (even if you don’t have a double-supply);
• Take in no more than your share, or what you’re actually due, or have earned—really;
• And be satisfied with your wages, never resorting to false means to obtain more.
And you will be blessed by God, and be a blessing to others.
--+ AMEN.
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