Last night in the Bible study that I lead at church on Wednesdays, we were looking at Luke's account of John the Baptist in chapter 3. John is addressing a Jewish audience, an audience that sought him in the wilderness. These folks, apparently inquisitive enough to come looking for him, wanted to be baptized. John, not one to mince words, tells them that their family history alone does not put them in right relationship with God; on the contrary, only those who are acting in ways consistent with repentance (change of mind and actions) are in right relationship with God.
So obviously this crowd want to know what to do, and here is where we get John's answer. John tells those who have two tunics to share with someone who has none. The one with food should do the same.
Does that strike you as odd? Why doesn't John address the ones who don't have two tunics, or don't have food. Surely they must share some responsibility in their situation, right? What about some personal responsibility? They need to get their act together before getting any handouts--am I right???. After all, this is the way the world works. Soon enough they're going to become dependent upon the giver, right?
The truth is we don't know what John may have thought about those folks who were the recipients--he doesn't tell us. All we have is these few sentences in which he addresses those who want to be baptized. John says if you're going to be baptized and follow the Messiah this is what you're focus is to be. Stop looking to the right and to the left. Put your picket signs down. Stop pointing fingers. Be single-minded and do the sorts of acts consistent with your changed lifestyle.
Want a better idea of what this lifestyle looks like that John is talking about? Keep reading in Luke and follow Jesus all the way to the cross.
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