Is A Good News - 1565 Words

THIS IS GOOD NEWS? Luke 3:7-18 December 13, 2015 Let’s go back 2000+ years†¦.Things weren’t so different back then when the world was preparing the way for the birth of Jesus. Back then, just like today, it seemed to people that if things kept going like they had been going, the whole country was headed for destruction. And just like today, people kept hoping that some great leader would come along and rescue them. But the people back then were hoping for more than just your average great leader. They wanted more than the current line-up of presidential hopefuls. They were hoping for someone so inspiring and so dynamic, so forceful and so wise, so practical and yet so holy, that everyone would be able to immediately see that this†¦show more content†¦You better stop thinking you can get by on your family name! I tell you, God can put your family’s name on the rocks out here! God is ready to cut down the family tree at its roots. Every tree that doesn’t bear good fruit is going to be chopped down and thrown into the fire!† (my interpretation.) So how did the crowds respond? Did they run in the other direction saying, â€Å"Stay away from that guy. He’s bad news. He’s crazy! Run as fast as you can†? No, they did not run from his message. In fact, they did the opposite. Most people felt themselves drawn into the challenge and wanted to respond. â€Å"What should we do?† they asked. â€Å"What does God consider to be good fruit?† John the Baptist said, â€Å"Whoever has two shirts should give one of them to somebody who doesn’t have one. Whoever has food should share it.† Then the tax collectors asked, â€Å"What about us? What should we do?† And John said, â€Å"Collect only what is required and don’t rip anyone off.† The soldiers followed on the heels of the tax collectors. â€Å"And us? What are we to do?† John said, â€Å"Don’t take advantage of your position to extort money from people. Don’t make false accusations. Be happy with what you are paid.† John sounded like he knew exactly what he was talking about. He spoke with confidence and authority. In spite of the harshness of his message, the people’s hopes were raised. They said to him, â€Å"You are the One, aren’t you? You’re the one that God has sent to save us! You