July 31 Good Mourning

Luke 3:10-14 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. 11 John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” 13 “Don't collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. 14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely — be content with your pay.”  
 
IN our previous lesson, we considered how mourning our sin is a key to a changed heart for Jesus’ gospel. In this Scripture, we see that John’s very pointed preaching affected hearts to grieve their sin. There was good mourning in Israel along the Jordan River as the Jews grieved their sin.
    You can see this because they asked the good mourning question, “What should we do?” This is a key question for any learning, isn’t it? “What should I do to drive the car?” “What should I do to become a teacher?” “What should I do to be a good husband?” “What should I do to walk with Jesus?” Recently I was asked, “What should we do to interpret and teach the Bible?” Asking the question, your heart and mind begins to turn toward the answers. You may not like some of the answers, but if you have a heart for true change, you will “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called (you) heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) 
    Now, let me ask you, “What would happen if you sat down with your Bible once a day? Then how would your heart be as you asked, ‘What should I do with what I read, Lord?’” I believe the Holy Spirit would focus your mind to be more attentive “pressing on” toward God’s teaching. Your heart would open to be filled with an understanding of God’s wisdom and knowledge. Your hands and feet would more eagerly put the gospel into practice. You would as I like to say, “Do the love of God.”
    God’s Spirit was using John’s preaching to ignite Israel to change – to repentance. The general population of Jews had forgotten God’s law. Tax collectors acted greedily against their own people. The soldiers represented Rome’s and the religious leaders’ oppression. These three groups were very different people with many different sins. But God was moving into Jews and Gentiles, into the oppressed and the oppressors, to “prepare the way for the Lord, (to) make straight paths for him.”  
    That’s the reason for preaching, teaching and learning today. Jesus came to preach the gospel, so you will be ready when Jesus comes again. You must be ready. In turn you must help the world be ready. That preparation begins with your own heart asking, “What should I do?”
 
Prayer: What should I do, Lord, to live into the gospel, to be prepared for the Day of the Lord when you come again? In Jesus’ name, I receive your answer, amen.