“What then shall I do?”

Luke 3:10-14

Have you ever asked this question: “What then shall I do?” If so, you are very normal for most of us have asked that of our parents, teachers, employers, or maybe even our pastor or priest.  But that is not what is happening in verse 10, it is not an individual but a crowd, and I for one have never heard those words come out of any audience I’ve been part of.

Now it has been stated that John was not looking to make friends, but the Holy Spirit living and speaking through him was deeply interested in influencing people, then as well as this very moment.  And often, thoughts that enter my small mind are best kept to myself, but let me share this with you; could it be many who have authority, who are referred to as pastors or priest are more interested in pleasing people than speaking what seems to them as harsh words the Spirit has put into their minds.  What would the Sunday crowd do with these words: “You brood of vipers!  Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”  Not sure how well those words are going to play out in 2015 to such a sophisticated group of people, that is until you examine who is in the crowd that John is speaking to.  They were the leaders of the people; the Pharisees and Sadducees that you will find in Matthew 3:7, and yes Doctor Luke tells us also there were tax collectors and soldiers, not much different than your typical Sunday morning assembly with maybe this exception, John the Baptist was fearful of not speaking the words God had told him to speak.  It was the Spirit of God wiggling John’s lips with words that cut to the chase, and each person was convicted of their sins at that moment and they, like us, stood naked before the all-seeing eyes of God.

So after the question was asked, “What then shall we do” the Spirit of God answered through John’s lips: “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”  (Luke 3:11-14)  

Now when reading this it is wise to remember this is not just a Bible story, these words are living and active, so what is being said, are these words not present in our time?  Be compassionate, share with the under-resourced, help those in need, do not take advantage of others, not in taxes or fees, nor in your business dealings, and for those in authority, do not abuse your power, and to all be grateful for what you have, and quit always wanting more.

I’ve got news for every one of us when it comes to the ways of God, you and I are not that sharp, and a long way from being sophisticated.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice