Luke 3:1-14

3:1    In the fifteenth year of the rule of the emperor Tiberius—when Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea and Herod was ruler^c over Galilee, his brother Philip was ruler over Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was ruler^e over Abilene,  ²  during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas—God’s word came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.  ³  John went throughout the region of the Jordan River, calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. 

4    This is just as it was written in the scroll of the words of Isaiah the prophet, 

A voice crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way for the Lord;
make his paths straight.
⁵ Every valley will be filled,
and every mountain and hill will be leveled.
The crooked will be made straight
and the rough places made smooth.
⁶ All humanity will see God’s salvation.”^f

7    Then John said to the crowds who came to be baptized by him, “You children of snakes! Who warned you to escape from the angry judgment that is coming soon?  ⁸  Produce fruit that shows you have changed your hearts and lives. And don’t even think about saying to yourselves, Abraham is our father. I tell you that God is able to raise up Abraham’s children from these stones.  ⁹  The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be chopped down and tossed into the fire.” 

10    The crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” 

11    He answered, “Whoever has two shirts must share with the one who has none, and whoever has food must do the same.” 

12    Even tax collectors came to be baptized. They said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 

13    He replied, “Collect no more than you are authorized to collect.” 

14    Soldiers asked, “What about us? What should we do?” 

Listening to God: I care about how you live.  I created you to reflect my love in the world.  No matter what your situation in life, I have marked out this calling for you, a way o life that give me joy.  Are you consciously and intentionally living toward my will for your life?  What was the last time you invited me to direct your way?  Turn to me now!  I can make your crooked paths straight and your rough places like a plain.

Journal or lift up your prayers and reflections to God.

*Our season of prayer guide comes from Joan Gray’s book, Sailboat Church: Helping Your Church Rethink Its Mission and Practice.