Yesterday we looked at Mary. Today we look at John the Baptist\u2019s understanding of the mission of God. The principle text, of course, is Luke 3:1-18. How did J-B understand the mission of God? Yesterday we looked at Mary. Today we look at John the Baptist\u2019s understanding of the mission of God. The principle text, of course, is Luke 3:1-18. How did J-B understand the mission of God?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":197,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1757],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2663","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-missional-jesus"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nHow often do we think of John the Baptist? Really. Now the big one: Do we embrace John\u2019s perception of the mission of God that was entering the world, was at work in John, and was about to skip a pace or two and end up in the lap of Jesus?
\n1. Entrance into and commitment to the mission of God, according to J-B, meant Israel needed to undergo a baptism (understood as purification) and repentance from its sins (3:3) \u2014 and this would lead to forgiveness. John summons the nation; individuals \u201cenlist\u201d in his vision by undergoing baptism.
\n2. The mission of God fulfills Isa 40:3-5 and this means John is the Voice who cries out that everything should get ready for the coming of God to Zion who comes to save (which evokes the name \u201cJesus\u201d \u2014 savior). John, who had identity issues, saw himself as the \u201cVoice.\u201d (Jesus, by the way, saw John as \u201cElijah.\u201d)
\n3. Israelites \u201cenlist\u201d in this saving presence of God by a repentance-that-leads-to-fruits:
\na. This is for all; Israelite or not (3:8).
\nb. Those who don\u2019t respond are judged (3:9).
\nc. Repentance involves, or should I say means?:
\neconomic distribution<\/em> for those with more than enough (3:10-11),
\nfair economic dealings<\/em> for those who have financial power (3:12-13), and
\na respect for the dignity of others by those with the power to conscript<\/em> (3:14).
\n[Note: John sounds like Mary.]
\n4. The mission of God is embodied in the One Who is All-Powerful, the Messiah (3:16) and John is the pointer to the Messiah. The Voice is the Pointer.
\nLuke 3:1 \tIn the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar\u2014when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene\u2014 2 during the high\u2013priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
\n\u201cA voice of one calling in the wilderness,
\n\u2018Prepare the way for the Lord,
\nmake straight paths for him.
\nLuke 3:5 \tEvery valley shall be filled in,
\nevery mountain and hill made low.
\nThe crooked roads shall become straight,
\nthe rough ways smooth.
\nLuke 3:6 \tAnd all people will see God\u2019s salvation.\u2019\u201da
\nLuke 3:7 \tJohn said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, \u201cYou brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, \u2018We have Abraham as our father.\u2019 For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.\u201d
\nLuke 3:10 \t\u201cWhat should we do then?\u201d the crowd asked.
\nLuke 3:11 \tJohn answered, \u201cAnyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.\u201d
\nLuke 3:12 \tEven tax collectors came to be baptized. \u201cTeacher,\u201d they asked, \u201cwhat should we do?\u201d
\nLuke 3:13 \t\u201cDon\u2019t collect any more than you are required to,\u201d he told them.
\nLuke 3:14 \tThen some soldiers asked him, \u201cAnd what should we do?\u201d
\nHe replied, \u201cDon\u2019t extort money and don\u2019t accuse people falsely\u2014be content with your pay.\u201d
\nLuke 3:15 \tThe people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, \u201cI baptize you withb water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you withb the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.\u201d 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"