Author, Adam.
Published, May 20, 2008.

Once again, I am completing an essay – hence the post. I came across this verse in Luke chapter 3. I had never paid attention to its significance. It is John the Baptist proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom to the multitudes who had gathered near him:

‘ Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?” He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”

Then 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 what is appointed for you.”

Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?”
So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.” ‘ – Luke 3: 7-14 (NKJV)

To me, this is a short description of what this new Kingdom was all about – a confrontation to particular socially destructive practices/ omissions. The neglect in caring for the poor and hungry, financial usury, and the abuse of power in general. It strikes me as significant that John warns them of these practices rather than saying you need to get your theology right or just ‘believe’ by professing the name of Jesus. He grounds repentance in a change of behavior particularly towards the most vulnerable members of society.

Thoughts?

*Thank God that John only said ‘tunic’ and not anything else!