Personal Transformation: Change? Really? Again? Me?
(We had technical problems this day, so unfortunately no video is available this week.)
Erik Swanson
December 15, 2024
The message of John the Baptist in Luke’s Gospel explores the challenge of personal transformation. The story in Luke 3, verses 7-18 contrasts two types of people: those whose actions contradict their words and those who genuinely inspire others by embodying what they teach. John the Baptist is presented as the latter, a figure who not only preaches change but lives it fully. Despite being the son of Zechariah, a respected temple priest, John rejects the family tradition and chooses a radically different path in the wilderness, calling people to repentance and transformation. His life embodies the "new thing" God is bringing into the world.
Personal Transformation and Christianity
There is a parallel between John the Baptist’s message and the core themes of Christianity, which revolve around transformation—death, resurrection, and new life. While many of us know the changes we need to make—whether in habits, mindset, or spirituality—actually implementing those changes is profoundly difficult. The old ways creep back, inspiration fades, and progress stalls. This mirrors the struggle inherent in the spiritual life, which is fundamentally about continual transformation and growth.
A Practical Approach
A unique aspect of John’s teaching in Luke is his practical approach. He not only rebukes the crowd, calling them a "brood of vipers," but also gives them clear, actionable steps for change. He advises those with excess to share with others, instructs tax collectors to act justly, and tells soldiers to exercise integrity and compassion in their roles. This is significant because John’s message is not about abandoning one’s current life but about embodying justice and righteousness within it. Transformation, therefore, happens in the reality of everyday life, not necessarily through radical external upheaval.
The story of John the Baptist forces us to our openness to the new work God is doing. It asks: When was the last time you changed your life because you felt called by God? What internal or external forces hold you back? The "brood of vipers" imagery points to the voices—both internal doubts and external influences—that poison new growth and prevent change. We need to identify these “vipers” and resist them.
Owning Our Journey
The imprisonment of John by Herod further deepens this message. It symbolizes that transformation cannot depend solely on external authorities or leaders. Instead, individuals must own their journey of change. The "new thing" God is revealing must take root internally, becoming a personal conviction lived out regardless of external circumstances.
Ultimately, this calls for introspection and action. It urges us to pray, discern, and pursue the changes God is prompting in our lives. It emphasizes vigilance against obstacles that threaten growth and encourages creating space for the Spirit’s work. The journey toward transformation, while challenging, is one of embodying grace, justice, and love in the heart of daily life. The blessing lies in embracing this new way with courage and conviction.
Amen.