Advent 3 - John the Baptist

Luke 3 vv. 7-18

John the Baptist

In this passage and in previous verses, we read how John the Baptist was preaching to the Jews about the need for repentance and receiving forgiveness for the sins of the past. He was offering them Baptism with water to cleanse them. However, this was only in order to prepare them for the coming of Jesus who would baptise them with the Holy Spirit. They must not rely on being ancestors of Abraham as that, in itself, did not put them in a right relationship with God. John encouraged them to share food and clothing and to see that they were fair in their dealing with other people. He mentions the tax collectors who were known to collect more than was actually due in order to increase their own income.

Jesus would baptise with the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit came to certain people, at certain times, for certain tasks, whereas in the New Testament, He is available to all, including us.

So what about us?

We need to be prepared for Jesus' Second Coming, which could be at any time. While we are waiting, we can be sharing the Good News about Jesus with all those we meet day by day. Jesus often used to go aside for periods of quiet. Maybe we, too, need to make some quiet space in our busy lives. That may mean a fresh start. In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, whom he had visited previously, he encourages them and therefore us, too, to go on being filled with the Spirit.

Any comments?

Peter Ewen