The picture we have in our minds of John the Baptist is a
wild-eyed prophet, with a long, white
flowing beard. It is obvious that the picture drawn of him by the Evangelists
is not one of a normal person. His
camel’s hair clothing was not of GQ quality. The leather belt around his waist
obviously was not diamond studded. His meal was simple: locusts and wild honey.
I suppose fresh honey makes anything taste good!
Luke,
the evangelist, tells us at the end of his portrait of John the Baptist, “So,
with many other exhortations, he preached good news to the people” (Luke 3:18).
The
recorded exhortations by Luke are rather instructive:
- Bear fruits that befit repentance
- Don’t say to yourselves we have Abraham
- If you have two coats, share
- If you have extra food, share
- Collect no more taxes than is required by law (he said this tax collectors)
- Rob no one by violence (he said this to soldiers)
- Do not be involved in false accusation (he said this to soldiers)
- Be content with your wages (he said this to soldiers)
- Final warning of chaff being burned with unquenchable fire, and that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Given the above instructions and message that John gave, it
makes one wonder what the “many other exhortations” were! No doubt continuing
insistence was placed upon more particulars of the fruit of repentance, more
indictments relative to resting on their religious history, more urging to
share one’s goods with those who have none, more honesty in every area of
business transactions and interpersonal dealings, and no abusing of people’s
rights and properties, and capped off with a life of contentment.
Do you think we need these kind of exhortations today?
In Christian love, Curtis
