The First Sunday of Advent (G)

Luke 3:1-17

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, ² during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. ³ And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley shall be filled,

and every mountain and hill shall be made low,

and the crooked shall become straight,

and the rough places shall become level ways,

⁶ and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”

⁷ He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸ Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. ⁹ Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰ And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” ¹¹ And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” ¹² Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” ¹³ And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” ¹⁴ 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.”

¹⁵ As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, ¹⁶ John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with 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 the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Why do you desire to become rich? Many people seek after fame and popularity. They even seek after money, a large homes, and even a fancy car, so that they can flaunt it. Derrick Rose has a new shoe commercial out, where it talks about taking all these things away and what would you have: EVERYTHING. (Repeat the mantra with the commercial.)

John the Baptist tells these people what the fruits of repentance are. It is not about seeking after things for myself or me, but about giving and not taking from people. If someone asks for something give it to them. If someone is in need, offer them help. The church will often talk about the budget and giving to support missions. You should give to support employment. Help missionaries stay employed. Help church workers stay employed. Help your Pastor or secretary stay employed. Likewise, don’t go to the cheapest store, but help people stay employed.

John the Baptist reminds us that it is time for us to repent. Repent for our sins. Repent for our selfish attitudes. Repent of your desires. Repent of the meaningless things. Derrick Rose would indicate to us that Basketball is everything. But Life is everything. The one who created your life, the ones who give you life, the one who sacrificed for your life, the one who continues to call you to new life, and your fellow saints are everything. The Father sent his Son to die for you, and the Holy Spirit calls you to repent and believe. When you repent there is always forgiveness in Christ’s death and resurrection for you.