Preparing the Way

Rev. Valerie Robideaux

“And the crowds asked him, 'What then should we do?' In reply he said to them, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’ Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.’ Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusations, and be satisfied with your wages.’” (Luke 3:10-14)

Scot McKnight discusses these words from the voice of John the Baptist as an example of what it means to live a life of the Jesus Creed- of the Spirit-filled power to baptize, to do justice, and to live as servant leaders.

“Be satisfied with your wages.”
Tax-day is still in the rear-view mirror.


“Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none.”

I think I have at least five coats hanging in my closet. What about you?

As Christians, our life is not our own. Our things are not our own. John the Baptist was preparing the way for the Lord, the Messiah. John was speaking against the injustices of his day, to prepare the people for the radical teachings and ministry of Christ.

“Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.”

We have three computers in our home and four televisions.

We are called to prepare the way of the Kingdom. We are called to move aside, to lay things aside for the work of the Kingdom. When we move from knowing the love of God to choosing to love God in return, we experience a transformation. We become adopted heirs of Christ and are clothed in God’s grace allowing us to love God, love self, and love others as we have been commanded.

When we are open to this transformation, we become uncomfortable- because the message of Christ is uncomfortable. When we experience this transformation, we begin to live our lives in radically different ways. We become more conscious about what we purchase, what we discard, when we speak up and when we are silent.

Are you preparing the way of the Kingdom?