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Luke 3:7-18

God’s Way Is The Opposite Way

December 15, 2024

Third Sunday in Advent

Lectionary Year C

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ASK (a.k.a The On-Ramp)

Good morning!
To get started today, I have a question to ask you.
Have you ever played the "opposite game" -- where you do the opposite of what someone says?
For instance, if I told you to go forward during the opposite game, what way would you go instead? (backwards)
And if I told you to go to the left during the opposite game, what way would you go instead? (to the right)
And if I told you to go up (however you might do that) during the opposite game, what way would you go instead? (down)

TELL (a.k.a. The Freeway)

I was asking about the opposite game because I think that will help us to think about what John the Baptist is trying to get the people to understand in today's story.
John the Baptist starts by telling the people that they need to repent, which simply means to "turn around."
And the way he tells them to turn around is by doing the OPPOSITE of what they usually do every day.
John tells the people to share their extra stuff instead of not sharing their extra stuff.
John tells the tax collectors to only take what they need and not take more than they need.
John tells the soldiers to protect the people instead of scare the people.
What do you think – does John the Baptist's “do the opposite” ideas sound pretty good?

SHARE the Good News (a.k.a. The Destination)

The problem with the opposite game, of course, is that it ends.
But John the Baptist is telling the people that if they like his idea of “doing the opposite” idea, then there was someone who lives this opposite way every day that they can learn from.
That person, of course, was Jesus.
Jesus invited others (and us) to follow him and learn how to live God’s better way – all day, every day.
To say yes to Jesus’ invitation is to learn how to receive God's love, mercy and grace.
Then, when we are receiving God's love, mercy, and grace, that means we have it to then share with those who are around us...
…and when that happens, then that’s how we help John the Baptist’s opposite day happen every day.

And that is the good news for today. Let’s pray.

CLOSING Prayer

This is a repeat-after-me prayer.

Dear God,
Dear God,

Thank you for Jesus…

…who shows us how to receive…

…your love, mercy, and grace…

…so that we can then share...

…your love, mercy and grace with others!

Thank you and Amen

Originally posted November 29, 2015

Updated on November 17, 2024

Written and edited by Nathanael Vissia

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