Today is about rejoicing (see especially Zephaniah and
Philippians)! And yet... the reading from Luke gives us the “brood of vipers”
speech from John the Baptist rather than Mary’s song, which comes next Sunday.
Today John has advice involving day to day responses to
life’s circumstances: be satisfied with what you have. . . share with others. .
. deal honorably. . . do not presume. . . pay attention.
Luke 3:7-18
The key to being glad and rejoicing is, in John’s
admonitions, gratitude for what you are given. Reference to wages is to name
what often signals either comfort or dissatisfaction: money. It sounds simple.
For some people, however, the wages don’t stretch far enough. John’s charge is
in response to the crowd asking him what he means they ought to do.
. . . John has to state the obvious, telling his
hearers what they already know, or at least should. Care for the poor is the
most basic Old Testament teaching, so John starts there. Abundance is meant for
sharing, not hoarding for security; all that is required is seeing that others
have none and then acting. . . John's
answer seems to state the obvious: “Don't collect more than you are supposed to.”
In the same way, the soldiers hear that they are not to extort by false
accusation or other means: “Be satisfied with your wages.” . . . While prophetic preaching can and should call
for change in social structures, individual responsibility and care should not
be neglected.
Critical to the observance of the Advent season is the
Baptist’s understanding of baptism, begun in the Luke reading from the Second
Sunday in Advent and continued here. Seek out how it is that the sacrament of
baptism shapes our ability as individual and as the church to rejoice. Hear how
the Baptist sees the sacrament of baptism as crucial to the church’s identity.
Baptism is not about becoming a “member” of an organization;
baptism is about being given a new way of living – one that sets apart a
people who care about God’s goals in this world.
The two baptisms of water and fire
do not stand in opposition. Both purify, but in different senses; one prepares
the way for the other. The fire serves a sign of judgment as in the burning of
chaff (v 17, cf. Malachi 3:2–4; 4:1) but also as a sign of the coming baptism
of the Spirit. . . . More than the burning of fruitless trees, the baptism of
Holy Spirit and fire separates out a people prepared to align themselves with
God's purpose, the new kingdom that does not so much turn our values upside
down as set what is already overturned to right-side up. In this sense, John's
harsh words are “good news” that remind us to trust in God's promise of
salvation, but also to watch out for presumption. – Paul E. Koptak
Zephaniah 3:14-20
The prophet Zephaniah promises that the Lord’s protection
is sure even through the disasters that await the people.
His message of salvation follows
the hard but good news of judgment, a promise that the LORD will rise against false prophets
and corrupt leaders, leaving a “humble and lowly” remnant of the people (v 12,
cf. vv 1–13).
The eschatological oracle comes in
three parts, each focused on an address to the city, personified here as
“Daughter Zion/Daughter Jerusalem.” First, a call to sing, shout and rejoice
comes with its rationale: the LORD has removed Jerusalem's punishment, but not that of its
enemies. The LORD. . .
stands with the people, not against them, so they need never be afraid
of disaster again (vv 14–15).
A second address repeats that which
was spoken already before adding what is new: “Do not fear …the LORD, your God, is in
your midst, a warrior who gives victory,” and who now joins in with their
rejoicing and singing (vv 16–17).
Finally, the LORD . . . will remove their shame, bring them honor and
praise and gather them in. Their fortunes will be restored, but proclamation
based on this text will not dwell on the blessing of one nation and the defeat
of others. Rather, their story of restoration and rejoicing point forward as
signs of the ever-expanding kingdom of God, gracious Lord of all earth. – Paul
E. Koptak
Philippians 4:4-7
Paul writes from prison (1:12),
exhorting the church at Philippi to stand firm in the face of suffering
(1:28–29), even rejoicing as he does the same (2:17–18; 3:1). The theme of joy
runs throughout the letter. . . grounded in the presence and peace of God. “The
Lord is near,” and so the Philippians can rejoice, free from worry, letting
their prayers inspire their gentleness (vv 5–6). . . . Peace that “surpasses
all understanding” suggests the latter, pointing to shalom, the work of God
toward well-being, rather than for protection from enemies. This peace brings
an expectation that God will sustain the church through opposition while it
waits for the final coming of Christ, Christ's kingdom and the fulfillment of
shalom (cf. “peace” in 4:9). It does not remove the church from struggle, but
rather provides the vision that helps the church endure it. – Paul E. Koptak
The common message is clear. The
reason to rejoice is not founded in how well your life is going on this or that
particular day . . . [but] because even
in the midst of adversity, God is near . . . – John E. Smith
Paul E. Koptak is
professor of communication and biblical interpretation at North Park
Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois.
John E. Smith has
served as a Methodist pastor for many years.
Homily Service 40, no. 1 (2006): 31-40.
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