Reflection on Luke 3:10-18

“He preached Good News to the People…”

During Advent, we read about John the Baptist. He is most famously known for telling everyone to repent.   A modern rendition of his best line in the Gospel of Matthew  (Matthew 23:33)  is” You Snakes!  Who told you that you could avoid the Punishment to come?”  I always wanted to have Christmas cards made up with that saying.  You know, like those black ones that were in fashion a couple years ago.  Imagine opening up that Christmas card….

Anyway,  what is the big deal about John the Baptist?  Why do we care about him?   There were no miracles attributed to him in the Bible.  He was the runner up to Jesus, akin to  getting the Silver Medal at the Olympics.  We know it  ended up badly for John, with his head being put on a silver platter.  It gets worse, as   Tradition  tells us that it also ended badly for Zachariah, his father too. 

Early Christians thought otherwise.   John is mentioned in all four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, and by Josephus, the historian of the day.  He is even mentioned in the Quran and revered by Islam. These sources don’t regard  John  as the runner up to Jesus, but the Forerunner to Jesus. Christian Tradition says even his death was part of God’s plan, as John descended into the depths to preach to the souls awaiting the Resurrection. 

The Book of Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament says “ I send my messenger to prepare the way before me.”   It also says “Behold, I will send you Elijah, the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord.”  That is John.  Jesus calls him the greatest person born of a woman.   

The church calendar is even structured to acknowledge John.  Jesus is born on Christmas, when the days begin to get longer.  We are coming into the light. John was born six months before Jesus, when the days start to get shorter.  In the Gospel of John, he is quoted as saying about Jesus,  “he must increase, while I must decrease.” (John 3:30). 

So,  Why are we interested in him today? What are the lessons we need to learn from him? I think it is because John offers us an example of how we are to live.   John carried out his duty, even though it didn’t end well for him.  Listen to what he is saying in the Gospel today:  If you have two coats, give one one to the poor.  Soldiers, stop terrorizing the civilians you guard. Tax collectors, don’t extort people!  In other words, John was preaching a tough message to those in power at that time:  the authorities who maintained the military and collected taxes. His unwavering commitment to righteousness and truth serves as an inspiration for all of us  today. John fearlessly denounced sin and hypocrisy, even among the political leaders of his time.  John lived a life of austerity and devotion to God. His message of repentance and judgment is a timeless reminder of the need for moral renewal. He is a powerful reminder of  how to live a just life.  No wonder why his head ended up on a silver platter. 

Of course, God raised John to an exalted position after his death. His relics have been associated with miraculous healings and protection.  I have seen some interesting things myself in my ministry that were connected to St. John.   He is a mighty intercessor for us at the Throne of God.  Remember him in times of trouble.  He will certainly remember you if you call upon his name.