What to Do When You’re Called A Brood of Vipers

And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?” From Luke 3:7-18

That ability to stop you in your tracks is one of the main ways we think about John the Baptist. Anyone who summons potential followers by telling them they are a brood of vipers is not likely to win any awards for gentleness. I would not hire John the Baptist as the staff person overseeing pastoral care. And, as one of my bishops famously said, this is not a man you are likely to invite to your next dinner party.

One problem with hearing only the unhinged, desert prophet version of John the Baptist is that we shut down after the first verse of this week’s lectionary text and miss the rest of what he’s saying. We also miss the crowd’s response. The crowd chose to seek out and listen to this prophet. They left their homes to hear what he had to say, and even after hearing his terse greeting, they ask a question.

What then should we do?

This is an important question. Isn’t this what we ask when we look at our lives more deeply? The questions that lead us to the wilderness are important, even if they do not have easy answers. When we know something needs to change—whether in our personal life or in our national dialogue—we want answers. We want to know what will make a difference. And we often leave what is comfortable to seek out those answers.

If I hear the crowd’s question as an Advent question, it sounds just a bit different. What if it is born out of waiting and silence?

In reply, he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?" He said to them, "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you." 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."

I think what John the Baptist is saying is that if we want to turn and be on a different path, the best place to start is where we are. If we have more than we need, share. If we have a particular job, do it with integrity. If we hear this as a question of curiosity, not fear and terror, real possibilities emerge.

This Advent, what is something you can invite into this space of reflection to turn toward the new life we are promised in Christ? Start today with something small. Start where you are.

Peace, Beth +