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The Constantly
Repeated Message by Peter L. DeGroote |
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Notes for Bible Talk: November 30, 2005 Please read: Luke 3: 1-18 |
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Bible Talk is an informal discussion of
biblical passages, ideas, and related material. The discussions are on Wednesday evenings
at 7:30 pm, following the Service of Word and Table. Occasionally, they will
not be held due to special events. These Notes are intended to assist
participants in thinking about the passages and some of their implications
prior to the gathering. Usually, the Notes are prepared and the
discussion is led by Rev. Peter L. DeGroote The sources for biblical quotations are labeled as
follows: NRSV: The New Revised Standard Version, Copyright
©1989, The National Council of Churches of Christ in the SV: The Scholar’s
Version; i.e., The Five Gospels, The
Search for the Authentic Words of Jesus, Robert W. Funk and Roy W.
Hoover, and The Jesus Seminar, Copyright © 1993 by
Polebridge Press. TM: The Message, The New Testament in
Contemporary Language, Copyright © Eugene H. Peterson 1993. navpress, M: My paraphrase. |
1. Luke's story of John the
Baptist has an announcement, a warning, four instructions, and a statement of
expectation about Jesus. 2. The announcement is in
the form of a quote from Isaiah 40:3-5. It has its own four elements. A.
"A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the
LORD…" As John lives in the wilderness and uses his voice to preach, it
describes his role. B.
A requirement for all: "Make his path straight." In other words, do
not put obstacles in the path of the one who comes from God. C.
A prediction: "Every valley shall be filled and hill be
made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made
smooth…" Luke has used the quote to further develop the theme of social
justice previously introduced in the words of Mary, called the Magnificat: "God has brought down the powerful…and
lifted up the lowly." (1:52) D.
A promise: "Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people
shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." In saying
that all humanity will witness the glory of God together, Luke has introduced
two additional important elements. First is the equality of all humanity
before God. The second is the availability of God to all humanity. 2. The warning (v.7-9) is
addressed to those who came out to be baptized without thought of repentance
(turning their lives around). Their rituals are empty and their reliance on
tradition is futile if their lives do not produce the fruit of faith.
Confession without repentance (admission without changing) is a common human
behavior. 3. Asked what they were to
do, John gives four specific suggestions that represent the kind of fruit
that God seeks. We will later hear these echoed in Jesus' teachings. A.
If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn't have any. B.
If you have food, give some to those who have none. C.
If you are a tax collector, collect only what is due. D.
If you are a soldier, do not extort by false threats and accusations. 4. Last, the statement of
expectation was a response to questions about his being the Messiah. It is in
three parts: A.
"No, I am not the Messiah," said John, "I only baptize with
water; but a more powerful person is coming, I am not worthy to untie the
thongs of his sandals." John's claim that he is not even worthy to be a
servant to Jesus is a hyperbolic statement intended by Luke to draw a clear
distinction between Jesus and John. B.
"The One who comes will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."
This is a clear reference to Pentecost reported in the Book of Acts, the
second in Luke's two-volume work about Jesus and the early Church. C.
"His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to
gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with
unquenchable fire." It was a common view at the time that God will
eventually gather the good people together and send the rest to the fires of Gehenna, the name for the constantly burning garbage dump
outside the walls of 4. During Advent, every
generation is challenged to prepare itself for the coming of the Christ child
with the same message: A.
Take comfort that God is among us. B.
Do not allow anything to stand between God and us. C.
Do not rely on empty religious practices. Instead, turn around and live in
God's presence. D. In this case, Luke gives
four examples of the kind of activity that will turn us toward a life in
harmony Peter L. DeGroote |
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