John the Baptist

Luke 3:1-20

First thing I did was figure out what a Tetrarch is. Two days ago when we read about Zechariah, it said that Herod was king of Judea, now today we have Herod as Tetrarch. It seems if a kingdom is split into four parts there are little kings-or princes that rule over them and these are called Tetrarch; that is what Herod was.

Now we see Zechariah's son John hearing the word of the Lord and bringing a message to the people who would listen. He did not start out by being nice: "You brood of vipers!" is what he says to people. But interestingly they ask, well if that's the case what can I do to change my status? I think that we are still likely to ask that question: "what must I do to be saved?" How do I get out of trouble or get a better reputation?

In this case they ask how can I get in a better relationship with the Lord? And do you know what you're talking about? (They wondered if he was the Christ that they had heard about so long ago.) He tells them no-(he is not the Christ) but do what the Lord asks of you: bear fruits of repentance-don't rely on your past good deeds, keep doing what God says. Don't rely on the fact that someone in your family used to go to church...this is something you are called to participate in; we can't say our grandparents went to church, our grandparents knew God-like Isaiah we have to get to know God ourselves and walk with him like those people in our past. Like Abram, and Noah and Moses, like our grandparents, WE have to walk with God and act with right-ness.

Poor Herod, everyone listened to this John the Baptiser, but Herod wanted to do whatever he wished, he didn't want to follow these directions. (Remembering that these directions were the same ones that Israel has been given from God in the beginning of their walk with the Lord-it wasn't new news-and neither was Herod's response a new response either. It seems that Herod wished to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord...we've heard that before.)

Will I see God turn the stones themselves into the children of Abraham? Or, am I ready to prepare the way of the Lord?  How about you?

See you tomorrow.
-maggie