Gospel Reading for December 15, 2024 – Luke 3: 10-18
CONVICTION
The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever ha food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”
Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.
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John the Baptist was really the Precursor of the Messiah. He was like Jesus when asked. His responses were direct to the point and he knew very well what to answer. It was the reason why the “wife” of King Herod Antipas, Herodias, held a grudge against him. He told King Herod directly, that it was wrong for him to marry the wife of his brother Philip. (Matthew 6: 17-18). It was the reason Herodias had him beheaded.
When Jesus started his ministry, John the Baptist started to keep out of the limelight, and even told his followers to follow Jesus. His mission was very clear to him. For a lot of us, it will be difficult to keep out of the limelight when we have gotten so used to it. Many a celebrity’s cause of depression is the non-acceptance that there are new celebrities to shine.
A Christian who has CONVICTION is not afraid to speak the truth. He does not compromise. It is clear to him/her where he stands. This is because the teachings of Christianity has no compromise. They are hard and steadfast principles of the Divine.
Lord, give us the courage to always uphold Christian principles/values!
