Preparing the Way: John the Baptist’s Call to Equity and Justice

by Pastor Emily Carle

Luke 3:1-18, New Revised Standard Version

3 1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:“Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”’ 7 John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’ 10 And the crowds asked him, ‘What then should we do?’ 11 In reply he said to them, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’ 12 Even tax-collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ 13 He said to them, ‘Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.’ 14 Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.’ 15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’ 18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

One of the verses I find most meaningful in Scripture is “every valley shall be lifted, every mountain be made low” because it is the perfect image for the work God is doing in the world. What is being described here is the goal of justice: achieving true equity. Those on top will be lowered, and those at the bottom will be brought up so that all can walk the simple flat path together. Life will be easier and fairer for all.

When called to partake in creating this equity, John the Baptist is asked by the crowd, “how?” He gives them explicit direction that is reflective of equity: fulfill your obligations fully, and do no more. Take no more. Live simply, so others can simply live. An element of true equity is that all will be able to live out their full, God given gifts and life. No one will need to hide their light under a bushel, and no one will be asked to do what isn’t authentic. And no one will be overworked or overserved. We will all have enough and appreciate our portion.

Part of our calling today is to resist the systems and mindsets that promote oppression, scarcity, competition, meritocracy, and harm. The Good News is that Jesus began this radical leveling. We will continue to level until His return.