Mid-week Reflection: Luke 3.
Scripture Union, “The Bible in a Year Programme” Wednesday 9 March, day 185
“A voice of one calling in the desert, “Prepare the way of the Lord”
Consider.
For John the Baptist, the desert is a quiet and productive place. It’s where he hears the word of God [v. 2] and it’s where crowds come to hear him preach the good news of the arrival of Jesus. But there is another desert, a wilderness that stretches further and goes deeper than the desert “country around the Jordan.” This desert exists in the hearts and minds of men and women. Consider the list of seven names at the beginning of chapter 3:
· Tiberius Caesar, a ruthless dictator.
· Pontius Pilate, a weak and manipulating politician, who in 3 years time will authorise Jesus’ crucifixion.
· Herod Antipas ruler of Galilee who also plays his part in the crucifixion story and for the sake of his pride orders the execution of John.
· Philip, Herod’s brother and puppet ruler of neighbouring territories.
· Annas had been high priest and still really held power but in an act of nepotism had promoted his son-in-law, Caiaphas to be high priest. It was the manipulation and intrigues of these two that brought about the murder of Jesus.
Luke is not concerned to describe a geographical desert but a wilderness in the affairs of people. It’s a wilderness of human corruption: of broken relationships with God and between people. The real desert, then as now, is the world of deal-makers, power brokers, self-seeking and privilege. Only the voice of John is heard in this wilderness of cruelty and greed, exemplified by the names listed by Luke.
Reflect.
· On who and how God calls people.
· Is it the rich, the educated, the powerful?
· Is it those, like John, who know that the wilderness is the place to hear the Word of God?
· What is God saying to you in the silence in your wilderness moments?
Pray
· What message does God want you to proclaim?
· For the strength to be a “voice in the wilderness.”
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