Day 54 – Numbers 15 -17; Psalm 45; Luke 3
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight…’”
In today’s readings we read the ministry of Moses and John [the Baptist], two of our greatest prophets. If Waylon Jennings were to comment he might have written, “Mammas, don’t let your babies grow up to be – Prophets”
Moses is under constant criticism for passing God’s Word to the people and John loses his head for being the “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness!” Moses is doubted by some of the people wanting to question his ‘lording influence over the people.’ Most often in Prophetic history the prophet is rejected or severely put to the test, never fully accepted in her/ his own time. In last Sunday’s Gospel reading Jesus himself said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!”
Luke’s Gospel follows a simple theme: Past – Present – Future. Unlike Matthew and Mark, Luke’s work is addressed to a broader audience of the Christian movement. He is writing to a mix of Gentile and Jewish readers. Unlike Mark which is more spoken and sermon-like, Luke writes with the detail of a novel. Luke is making the case [is it to Theophilus - “Lover of God” ?] for this Christian Movement. But he must be careful not to disconnect this phase of God’s work with the past -- with the work and ‘Word” of the God of Israel. So as Luke introduces a new prophet, John, he must connect John’s prophecy to the past and introduces his ministry in the words of an earlier prophet, Isaiah; “The Voice of one crying out…”
Luke applies this Past – Present – and Future theme to Promise [The promises of the past], Fulfillment [conversion and fulfillment in the present] and Mission [the mission and action of the future]. The promises made to God’s people of the past must be maintained in this new or unfolding phase of God’s revelation. So, Luke uses John, an Old Testament model of Prophecy to make the transition between Past and Present. “Offspring of Vipers… produce therefore deeds appropriate to conversion.” By ‘conversion’ John means, Change of life – renewal – past to present – promise to fulfillment. Yet, even the temporary fulfillment experienced in this act of conversion, this act of repentance and turning is only the beginning. It requires action! The people coming out to John ask, “What, then, should we do?” John answers, “The person who has two tunics should share with the one who has none. The person who has food should do the same.” In this process, the people are called to action – mission!
With the Moses model in mind, the people wonder inwardly whether John is the Messiah. “Are you one like the past here in the present?” John answers, “I am baptizing you with water. But the one stronger than me is coming.” As the Psalmist reminds us in today’s Psalm, John is telling the people: “I will cause your name [God’s Name] to be celebrated in all generations, therefore the peoples will praise you forever and ever.” John’s work, like that of all the prophets, draws the people into relationship with God. John’s work is ‘preparing the way for Jesus,’ God in our midst!
Almighty God, we give you thanks for your steadfast love in sending the Prophets of the past, for those in our midst, and for those you will continue to send us in the future. Help us to hear, be guided by them all, and moved to the mission you set before us.
The Ven. Thomas A. Bruttell
Archdeacon for Transitional Ministry
Diocese of Southeast Florida
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight…’”
In today’s readings we read the ministry of Moses and John [the Baptist], two of our greatest prophets. If Waylon Jennings were to comment he might have written, “Mammas, don’t let your babies grow up to be – Prophets”
Moses is under constant criticism for passing God’s Word to the people and John loses his head for being the “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness!” Moses is doubted by some of the people wanting to question his ‘lording influence over the people.’ Most often in Prophetic history the prophet is rejected or severely put to the test, never fully accepted in her/ his own time. In last Sunday’s Gospel reading Jesus himself said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!”
Luke’s Gospel follows a simple theme: Past – Present – Future. Unlike Matthew and Mark, Luke’s work is addressed to a broader audience of the Christian movement. He is writing to a mix of Gentile and Jewish readers. Unlike Mark which is more spoken and sermon-like, Luke writes with the detail of a novel. Luke is making the case [is it to Theophilus - “Lover of God” ?] for this Christian Movement. But he must be careful not to disconnect this phase of God’s work with the past -- with the work and ‘Word” of the God of Israel. So as Luke introduces a new prophet, John, he must connect John’s prophecy to the past and introduces his ministry in the words of an earlier prophet, Isaiah; “The Voice of one crying out…”
Luke applies this Past – Present – and Future theme to Promise [The promises of the past], Fulfillment [conversion and fulfillment in the present] and Mission [the mission and action of the future]. The promises made to God’s people of the past must be maintained in this new or unfolding phase of God’s revelation. So, Luke uses John, an Old Testament model of Prophecy to make the transition between Past and Present. “Offspring of Vipers… produce therefore deeds appropriate to conversion.” By ‘conversion’ John means, Change of life – renewal – past to present – promise to fulfillment. Yet, even the temporary fulfillment experienced in this act of conversion, this act of repentance and turning is only the beginning. It requires action! The people coming out to John ask, “What, then, should we do?” John answers, “The person who has two tunics should share with the one who has none. The person who has food should do the same.” In this process, the people are called to action – mission!
With the Moses model in mind, the people wonder inwardly whether John is the Messiah. “Are you one like the past here in the present?” John answers, “I am baptizing you with water. But the one stronger than me is coming.” As the Psalmist reminds us in today’s Psalm, John is telling the people: “I will cause your name [God’s Name] to be celebrated in all generations, therefore the peoples will praise you forever and ever.” John’s work, like that of all the prophets, draws the people into relationship with God. John’s work is ‘preparing the way for Jesus,’ God in our midst!
Almighty God, we give you thanks for your steadfast love in sending the Prophets of the past, for those in our midst, and for those you will continue to send us in the future. Help us to hear, be guided by them all, and moved to the mission you set before us.
The Ven. Thomas A. Bruttell
Archdeacon for Transitional Ministry
Diocese of Southeast Florida
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