John the Baptist was preaching in the wilderness warning the people to "produce fruit in keeping with repentance." The people started asking him questions...
“What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” 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 3:10-14 NIV
It is interesting that all of the responses he gives them has to do with caring for those in need and for avoiding the mistreatment of others. I suppose one would expect John to talk about faithfulness to the Law or to follow Jesus, the Messiah who will soon be so important.
But instead he seems to be saying that following the letter of the Law is not good enough if it doesn't lead you to love others. Isn't this the message that Jesus would soon bring to the people?
This is what Jesus was trying to teach the people with his treatment of the woman caught in adultery. Obedience to God's teachings should always result in us loving others the way that God would love them, with compassion and mercy.
Is this true of me and you? Does our knowledge of God's Word lead us to be loving, kind, and compassionate towards others?
Jesus, may Your love that lives in my heart truly lead me to be more than just a hearer of Your Word. Let me be obedient to those thing I know are true. In Jesus' name, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment