Advent 3: The Call and Encouragement of the Baptist  

In this week’s passage we continue our journey towards Christmas. How can I prepare for the coming of the Lord? How can we prepare for the coming of the Lord, prepare for his decisive, powerful, intervention in the human story? In Luke 3.7-18, John the Baptist guides our steps. He called the people to prepare not simply by using the ritual of immersion baptism. John the Baptist called the people to prepare  not simply by feeling sorry for falling short of God’s will. He called the people to produce fruit in keeping with repentance. This fruit was to give up all false sources of security, and commit oneself to a new lifestyle of service towards neighbour. While this sounds challenging, and will be costly, we have two great encouragements in the Gospel that move and enable us. The Baptist grounds this call on the holy love of God in Christ and the Christ’s gift of the Spirit. We have the same call and encouragement today as we prepare for the Lord’s coming this Advent. 

Reflection Questions

1. How would you define ‘repentance’ in your own words?

2. What danger does John the Baptist warn the crowds of (Luke 3.7)?

3. What is the condition under which the salvation of God in Christ, is received? How can the crowds (and us today) avoid the holy wrath of God? (Luke 3.8-9)

4. Take the three examples of repentance John describes in Luke 3.10-14:

(the poor sharing the little they have; tax collectors being honest; soldiers serving those under them).

What would repentance look like today, then, for similar groups of people?

(For the poor; those who control financial institutions; those who bear arms). 

5. How do we see God saving and judging in Christ? What attribute underpins both actions? 

6. What does Christ give us, that enable us to stand on the right side of his love, redeemed rather than judged? (Luke 3.16-18)