A willingness to hear

 

“I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

“When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they acknowledged God’s justice, having been baptized with the baptism of John.

“But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John.” Luke 7:28- 30 (NAS95)

John the Baptist had a knack for getting past the defenses of his listeners and speaking a word of truth that struck at their heart. They saw themselves in what John said and, after squirming and trying to find an excuse for themselves, they eventually caved in to the truth.

Business people would ask John, “What should we do?” and John would tell them not to take advantage of others in their business dealings, even if everyone else did.

Middle class people would ask John what they should do, and he told them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.”

Some soldiers asked him the same thing and John said, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.”

Some people had to admit they were dishonest in their dealings with others. Some people with goods to spare would have to accept that they had been ungenerous and selfish with their blessings. Some in positions of authority would need to confess that they had abused their power. Just about everyone would have to own up to whining about their wages. And all of them appreciated that the first victim of their self-absorption was God, the Lover and Advocate for all they had treated with contempt or indifference.

Such admissions require humility. To top it all off, the climax of the whole process was to wade down into a deep spot in the Jordan River and let Pastor John dunk them under and pull them up sputtering. I have done many such baptisms and I can say for a fact that no one looks their best dripping wet. It is an act of physical, spiritual and social surrender and trust!

The religious leaders of the day were too proud to join in with those they considered beneath them in embracing their need for change and celebrating God’s joy in making the change. Because they were too smug to repent, they were too good for God’s Grace.

We hear a lot about Grace this time of year. But it is important to note that, before people could hear and embrace Jesus’ Word and ministry of Grace, they needed to accept and embrace John’s message of repentance. Rain that falls on hard packed, sun baked soil just runs off without effect unless that soil is broken by the plow. Grace cannot be received by hearts that are hardened against it.

God loves us so much that He takes us as He finds us, but He loves us too much to leave us that way. Preparing for Advent includes a willingness to hear and accept what God would change in us and to accept the Grace of His love in making that change.

Each month a member of the Cook County Ministerium will offer Spiritual Reflections. This month our contributor is Pastor Dave Harvey, who has served as pastor of Grand Marais Evangelical Free Church since February of 2008.