Prepare by Kindness not Work

Scripture: Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely - be content with your pay.” Luke 3:12-14

Observation: In this part of Luke, we get the most complete understanding of John the Baptist's ministry and message. He is explicitly baptizing people not into a new belief, but into repentance from sin. We see people ask what they should then do, and his teaching echoes back to the proper way to treat others ... aid the poor, do not lie.

Here we see two types of people - both employed by Rome - ask the question, and his answer is NOT that they should quit working for Rome. Instead, it is simply to deal honestly with others. Go ahead and collect taxes for the ruling foreign nation, but don't cheat about it and over-collect. Go ahead a be a soldier who fights and kills in battle and enforces the rule and laws of the occupying nation, but don't lie about how others are complying with the law and thus extort from the people.

In other words, in repenting from sin, it is not necessary to turn away from ones jobs even when those jobs are provided by an enemy nation. It is only necessary to understand the commandments, and to repent of the behavior that is in conflict with those commands. And most of all, it is important to treat each other well.

John was there to "prepare the way" for the Messiah - to "make straight paths" - and this is what that looks like ... treating each other with kindness and obeying the most basic commands.

Application: Alignment of my heart to Jesus has nothing to do with my job, but everything to do with how I treat others. This is a clear message for me daily. I am to treat others with kindness. I am to be kind to strangers, and seek friends with whom I can have community. For most of my life, I have had none of this, except maybe for short periods of very exclusive communities ... of which I cannot now even remember many of their names.

For my entire life, I have completely failed to have positive interactions with all but a literal handful of people. This is the correctable action I need to take, so God can have my heart prepared in the condition he likes to work through me.

Prayer: Lord, again I ask today for your assistance in softening my heart, so I may draw closer to you and receive your Spirit. In this, I seek to be kind to others. As it depends on me, I will proceed here at work with a gentle manner and helpful attitude. I will strive to not be quick to anger. I will desire to find community with friends in the body of Christ. Thank you for your word, and your love. Amen.