So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?”

He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” Luke 3:10-11

© Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com

That one response from John the Baptist was so insightful for this week’s lesson on Baptism and the Temptations that we will spend all of this article’s time with it.

For background, we know that John had been preaching a message of the coming of a new kingdom. Entrance into this kingdom could not be had without repentance. To his listeners this was a call to a radical change in life. The former things would need to pass away and new ways of living and thinking were necessary.

As subjects of the new kingdom, Christ’s kingdom, their concern for the welfare of others was paramount. Kindness and compassion and a willingness to sacrifice for the good of others would be the fruit of their repentance.

This command to care for others was not a new thought. From their origin as a nation the people were always charged to take care of the less fortunate.

For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’ Deuteronomy 15:11

Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard. Proverbs 21:13

Now, as the people are convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, John reiterated this essential truth. The love that generates this type of response is of divine origin. It is not something that man can manufacture on his own. It is contrary to natural tendencies and it goes sharply against the grain of society.

“He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none”

To the religious multitudes that gathered about John, his words were as a bright light shining in darkness. People who were defined by their religion were now being instructed on the rudimentary principles that were a part of the law they so proudly proclaimed.

Even in our day we hear these texts so often that we are in danger of missing the significance of what this means. We struggle with a consistent life of self-denial (I know I do) and moving beyond the occasional charitable deed to a lifestyle that is purposed on benefiting our fellowman.

And I know that I am not alone in the struggle with selfishness (that’s really what it is). It is so much easier to tell others why they worship on the wrong day or eat the wrong things than it is to take of our own and to give to others. Selfishness, if left unchecked, will be our demise.

We all know the story of the Rich Young Ruler. We see how Jesus, with love and concern for his salvation, gave him instructions that could counteract the selfishness that possessed him. To the hearers and even to us it seemed like an extreme and unnecessary request.

For many of us the young ruler is the model we would like to emulate. To be a person of good morals with impeccable religious principles and to be rich is our secret desire. That’s the best of both worlds. But thanks to the Word of God and the agency of the Holy Spirit we hear the call to repent from our selfish ways.

The people during John’s day could sense that something momentous was underway. Many heeded the call and repented and were baptized into this new kingdom. God was working to save His people and to prepare them to receive His Son. Could this same thing be happening today?

Here are a few Hit the Mark questions for this week’s lesson discussion:

• What does baptism mean to you?
• Should a person wait until they are “living right” before they are baptized? Explain your answer
• Should a person feel different after being baptized? Why yes or no?
• Explain what the opposite of being selfish is?
• Does not the Bible promise prosperity to those who follow its principles? Why yes or no?
• How can a person tell if they have truly repented?
• Is the following statement True, Mostly True, Somewhat True or Not True: Once I repent and am baptized I will no longer struggle with being selfish. Explain your answer.

We close this week the words of Jesus. They’re pretty straight-forward. Lord help us to hear:

“Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.” Luke 12:33 NIV

Until next week, let’s all continue to Hit the Mark in Sabbath School!

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