Third Friday in Advent

You can find the "Following the Star" Advent devotionals here.

Like the author of today's devotional, I also had the thought, "How can burning with unquenchable fire be good news?" Today's author sees it as being warned that a hurricane is approaching, so that we can be prepared for it, but I disagree.

Knowing that a hurricane is approaching isn't good news. Yes, knowing ahead of time allows you time to prepare and to flee, but a hurricane itself isn't good news--it causes destruction. You might get out with your life, but your world, the place where you live, might be destroyed.

I wonder what the Jewish people heard when John proclaimed this message. I wonder if they identified themselves with the wheat, and their oppressors with the chaff. It would be good news to hear that an unstoppable force was on its way to sweep your enemies out of the way. But that isn't exactly what happened. What did eventually happen was that the people of God outlasted the mighty Roman empire, but that is a story too long for this blog!

I wonder how we could apply this scripture personally? Would it be good news to know that a power was available to burn away all the useless parts of your life, all the broken and messed up parts, and keep only the good? That's what one author believes it means to be "judged" by God. It's not so much about assigning guilt as it is about purifying, about being made righteous.

And righteousness, as we learned last week, has to do with peace in our lives, and peace in our world.

Maybe John's message is good news, after all.