John the Baptist's Mission

John Baptist's Mission

In this Advent season, we are reminded of an important feature of the preparation for Christ’s arrival. Even though Luke’s gospel was written for a predominantly Gentile audience, it is important that Jesus did not arrive in a historical vacuum. The historical writings, the prophets, and the wisdom literature were certainly preparation. In the beginning scenes of his gospel, Luke tied Jesus' coming to the historical past.

John the Baptist was the structural and theological link between the Old and New Testaments. He was a prophet in the best Old Testament tradition, whose message was rooted in Isaiah 40:1-8. His quoting of the metaphor found in v. 3-4, is a powerful statement, likening the coming of Jesus to the rearrangement of the very topography of the earth:

"… Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.”

John the Baptist came preaching repentance and water Baptism, which was an accepted Old Testament rite for Proselytes to undergo. Jews, as well, would submit to water baptism as a rite signifying ritual cleanness or forgiveness. It was to the latter that John called his audiences.

Huge numbers of people repented and were baptized by John. He challenged them to show proof of their sincerity. When they asked John what they should do, he answered them very specifically.

All of John’s answers spoke to leveling the playing field for the poor. John replied that the traits of this new life were to include: a) a willingness to share wealth, b) just law enforcement, and c) governmental fairness.

• “If you have two overcoats, give one to a person who has none, and do the same with food.”

Conventional wisdom promised that wealth and privilege was proof of God’s blessing. John was telling his converts to live as though that understanding didn’t exist. Instead of seeing a second tunics as God’s blessing, they were to give it away. For a family at last to have two changes of clothing and more than enough food was a big deal. Then to be told to give away any extra to those who had nothing must have been hard to hear.

Imagine the social revolution that would have ensued, had every newly baptized person followed John’s command. Keep in mind that John was not saying to give away everything. The poor would be cared for. How much is enough?

• “Do not collect more taxes than you are required to.”

The tax collection system was shot through with graft, pay-offs and greed. John was calling for each newly baptized tax collector to do the unthinkable; to act against all social convention; to collect only those taxes which Rome required. They were to stop conspiring to get rich on the backs of their mostly poor countrymen. If only a few were to obey, it would expose the rest of their colleagues for what they were. Word would get out how much money really was required. “The rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.”

• "Do not extort money or arrest people on false charges – be content with your pay.”

Throughout the centuries, police officers and other government officials have supplemented their incomes by shaking down the populace. It even happens today in some countries. They would require payment for protection from people and businessmen. Often, the non-payers would be arrested on trumped up charges to scare them into paying. The extortionists themselves would cause them trouble, if they did not pay.

The fruits of salvation, according to John, are two-pronged: a) allowing God to cleanse us through repentance, and b) showing the outward evidence of that salvation in the loving way we treat other people. Love God with our heart, soul, mind and strength, and your neighbor as yourselves. Changed people, were to exhibit changed behavior wherever they found themselves.

This scene, at the very beginning of Luke, provides us with a glimpse of the message of the “Good News” according to Luke. It also seems to set the parameters for the ministry of Jesus: His declaration in Nazareth, His challenge to every one with power and wealth to use their privilege to help the poor, and finally, commending Zacchaeus for doing it.

What would be the contemporary equivalent of showing this kind of evidence of repentance today?

Are Christians actively pursuing the kind of justice John is talking about?