9.30am Sunday 1 December 2003
Rev Des Botting
Reading: Luke 3:1-6; Philippians 1:3-11
The theme verse for our Skippers Youth Programme over the past two terms has been Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths. We have been encouraging the children to let Jesus come into their lives to help them make the right choices in life and keep them on the right path. This is true for every one of us. Life is made up of many intersections where we have the option of going one way or another. Sometimes the decision is a simple one, between what will lead us closer to God, or lead us further away from him. At other times both options are good and we need wisdom to choose what will be for the best in the long-term. Whatever the occasion, its important that we make the right decision because what we become, and, in fact, what we are now,is the product of our choices. Paul knew the need for this for the young church at Philippi and so he prayed that their love would keep on growing and that they would fully know and understand how to make the right choices and so be ready for when Christ returns.[1]
As we look at the story of Jesus life on this second Sunday of Advent 2003, we see where people made choices that have had a profound influence on the course of human history. I made reference to some of these in my write up in the December January Parish News. This morning I want us to focus on the role of John the Baptist in Gods plan for the salvation of the world, and the significance of his choice to be a voice shouting in the wilderness, Get the road ready for the Lord![2] The key words in the reading from Lukes Gospel this morning are these, The word of God came to John, son of Zechariah in the wilderness.[3] Or more correctly, a word of God came to John. This event marks one of those times when a right decision has affected the course of human history. Note, first,
1. WHEN this word came. Luke takes care to put the story of Jesus firmly in the context of secular history. He uses the beginning of Johns ministry to date his account of Jesus in no less than six different ways.
(i) Luke first sets Johns ministry against a global background. He tells us that he began his public ministry in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman Emperor at that time. Tiberius had succeeded Augustus, who was the Emperor at the time of Jesus birth, in AD 14. The fifteenth year of his reign would have made it 28-29 AD.
(ii) The next three dates are linked with the political organisation of Palestine. When Herod the Great died in 4 BC after reigning for forty years, his kingdom was divided into four parts, three of which were given to his sons. Herod Antipas ruled Galilee and Perea till 39 AD, Herod Philip ruled Iturea and Trachonitis to 34 AD, and Archelaus, Judea, Samaria and Edom. Archelaus ruled so badly that his subjects petitioned Rome to remove him. This they did and installed Roman governors. Pilate held this office from 26 36 AD
(iii) There is some debate among scholars about the fourth person, Lysanias, whom Luke speaks of. Some inscriptions speak of a Lysanius who ruled at a later time as tetrarch of Abilene, which is to the north of the other regions mentioned here, and it may well have been this person to whom Luke is referring.
(iv) Luke then turns from the political situation to the religious and dates Johns appearance as being during the time when Annas and Caiaphas were high priests. In fact at no time were there more than one high priest, but when Annas was put out of the office of high priest by the Romans, he was succeeded by no fewer than five of his sons, and Caiaphas, his son-in-law took over this office in 18 AD and held it through to 36 AD. Although Caiaphas was the reigning high priest, Annas was still the power behind the office. In Johns gospel, when Jesus was arrested he was taken first to Annas.[4] This is why Luke makes reference to them both by name.
Thanks to Luke, we have very precise historical documentation as to when these events took place. Secondly, note
2. WHERE and to WHOM this word of God came. We are told this word came to John, Son of Zechariah. Luke, alone of all the Gospel writers, tells the story of the birth of John. He may well have researched this as he addresses Theophilus, right at the very beginning of his Gospel, with these words - I made careful study of everything and then decided to write and tell you exactly what took place.[5] So at the beginning of his gospel Luke tells us how Johns father, Zechariah, a Jewish priest, had a vision while serving in the temple. Both he and his wife Elizabeth were well on in years at the time, but God promised them a son in their old age. This would be no ordinary child. Zechariah was told that he would be a great servant of the Lord, and that he would be filled with the Holy Spirit before he was born.[6] We know that when Mary, after the angel had appeared to her, went to visit her relative Elizabeth, John, who wasnt born then, leapt in his mothers womb at Marys greeting. God equipped this child from birth for the very significant role he would play in preparing his people for the coming of his Son, Jesus.
It cannot be stressed enough, the Holy Spirit is an essential requirement for all who would do Gods work. Gods work must be done in His power. Just as God equipped John for his part, so he equips us, too.
We are also told where this word came. It was in the desert, or wilderness, as it is translated sometimes. Its clear from Johns lifestyle that he knew God had a special call upon his life. Luke tells us that he was living in the desert, and Matthew and Mark both tell us that John wore clothes made of camels hair, that he had a leather strap around his waist and ate grasshoppers and wild honey.[7] This was the lifestyle of an ascetic, one who had devoted his life to God. John took seriously Gods call upon his life and put himself in this inhospitable place so that he could listen to God without distractions. Note that even although he had this call from God on his life, he didnt make a move until he had heard Gods word. But when he did, he immediately began to share this word with Gods people.
John stands in marked contrast to the others who are mentioned at the beginning of this chapter, those who wielded temporal power. Although John had no temporal authority he did have spiritual power. He was very aware that his authority was given him from heaven.[8] He also gives us an example we would do well to follow. In all the busyness of the Christmas season we need to allow time for God to speak to us, and to expect him to speak. Most of us cannot do what John did and isolate ourselves from the outside world. But we can make time to be still, to listen, and to invite Gods Spirit to come. And when we he does speak, we must share it, always being sensitive to Gods direction as to the appropriate time and place. Thirdly, we are told
3. WHAT this word from God was. This Greek term for word, rhema, is used in several places in the early part of Lukes gospel. When Mary said to the angel, How can this happen? after she was told that she would have this special child, most Bibles translate the angels closing words as, for nothing will be impossible with God. A literal translation of what the angel said to her was, no word of God will be impossible. This word rhema is used four times in chapter two in reference to what the angels said to the shepherds, and of Mary pondering these words, or carefully keeping these words in her heart. We find it again in Luke 5 when Jesus asked Simon Peter to row his boat out into the deep water and to let his nets down to catch fish. Peter replied, We have worked hard all night long and havent caught a thing. Nevertheless, at your word I will let down the net. The huge quantity of fish they caught as a result of his obeying Jesus word so shook Peter that it made him feel unworthy to be in Jesus presence.[9]
These references remind us of the tremendous power of the word that came to John in the desert. Little wonder that it rocked the nation of Israel to its foundations, and led to a heightened sense of expectancy among Gods people as to what God was about to do. Gods word is powerful beyond our imagining.
Note also the message that this word brought. Luke tells us that John went along the Jordan Valley, telling the people, Turn back to God and be baptized! Then your sins will be forgiven. The core of John message can be summed up in one word, Repent! This Greek word, which is made up of the preposition after or with and the verb to think as the outcome of understanding, combines the two meanings of time and change, so means to think differently after ie a change of mind that leads to a change of conduct. It is the change in ones thinking that inevitably leads to a change in life and practice. This always characterises genuine repentance. Being sorry for ones sins is not repentance, but repentance is the outcome of such sorrow. As Paul says, Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret[10]
Repentance is just as necessary today as it was in Johns time. Its the universal requirement for entry into Gods kingdom. The Bible says that God wants everyone to turn from sin.[11] No one who has sin in his or her life can enter into the presence of God. This second Sunday of advent is almost always given over to speaking of this need. As we prepare for Christmas its important to allow Gods Spirit to search our hearts and lives to see if there is anything there that is grieving the heart of God. Theres a sense where this is necessary all year round, but particularly as we ready ourselves to celebrate his birth, and even more especially as we prepare for his return.
Johns role was to prepare Israel for the coming of their Messiah. Luke uses the words from Isaiah 40 to describe his mission, Get the road ready for the Lord!
This is what used to happen in ancient times, and still does today. As an Eastern monarch proceeded upon his way, heralds were sent out to call on the people to clear and improve the old roads or to even make new ones. When Isaiah says to his people to Repair the road to the city and clear it of stones,[12] it was very necessary. John role was to prepare the way for Jesus in a moral and spiritual sense.
The closing words from the passage in Isaiah that Luke quotes, says, Then everyone will see the saving power of God.[13] This means that Gods salvation was to be made known to both Jews and Gentiles, a major theme of Lukes Gospel. As a Gentile himself, and writing this for a Gentile enquirer, Luke was careful to emphasise the truth that salvation was offered for all. Lukes Gospel is our gospel. It was written for the Gentiles. This Gospel brings hope to all nations. None are excluded from the grace of God revealed in Christ. And finally,
4. This message leaves us with a CHOICE. How are we going to respond? The Bible says, Long ago in many ways and at many times Gods prophets spoke his message to our ancestors. But now at last, God sent his Son to bring his message to us. We must give our full attention to what we were toldif we refuse this great way of being saved, how can we hope to escape?[14] 62 years ago on 6 December, an event took place that shook the Western world and altered the course of the Second World War. Japan attacked Americas Pacific fleet in Pearl Harbour. That event may not have happened if those in authority in America had made the right choice.
E Stanley Jones, perhaps the greatest American Christian leader who lived last century. spent 66 of his 89 years as a Methodist missionary. Most of that time was spent in India, but he became a missionary to all the world, even to his own native America.
One of the greatest ventures that possibly ever engaged Dr. Jones was one not many knew about. Dr. Jones tried to head off Pearl Harbour. From August to December 7, 1941, this American churchman worked to persuade President Roosevelt to cable Japans Emperor Hirohito with a plan for peace. The cable reached the emperor one day too late, and the rest is history.
It is fascinating to imagine what might have happened had the Japanese ruler received that message from President Roosevelt before December 6 1941. The whole course of history might have been changed. The lives of billions of people might have been altered. A world might have been spared immense suffering. Dr Jones, in his autobiography, looked upon that disappointment philosophically or should we say religiously? He calls it an adventure in failure. He wrote, It is not ours to succeed or fail it is ours to do the highest we know and leave the results with God.
This certainly is what John did. He chose to be obedient to this word of God. We have exactly the same decision to make, whether, as a non-believer to respond to Gods call to repent, or whether as a believer to listen to and to share the word God gives us for the world.
[1] Cf. Philippians 1:9-10
[2] Luke 3:4 (All Bible references are from the Contemporary English Version unless otherwise stated.)
[3] Luke 3:2 NRSV
[4] John 18:13
[5] Luke 1:3
[6] Cf. Luke 1:13ff NRSV
[7] Cf. Matthew 3:4 and Mark 1:6
[8] John 3:27
[9] Cf. Luke 1: 37; 2:15, 17, 19, 51; 5:5
[10] 2 Corinthians 7:10
[11] 2 Peter 3:9
[12] Isaiah 62:10
[13] Luke 1:6
[14] Hebrews 1:1-2a;