NARRATOR: Crowds of people came to hear John the Baptist and seek the baptism of repentance he proclaimed.
CROWD: John, what should we do?
JOHN: Let people with two coats give to people who have none. People who have lots of food should do the same.
NARRATOR: Tax collectors came to be baptized.
TAX COLLECTORS: What are we to do, Teacher?
JOHN: Don’t collect more than people really owe.
NARRATOR: Soldiers came to John, too.
SOLDIERS: What about us? What should we do?
JOHN: Do not bully people or accuse them falsely. Be satisfied with your pay.
NARRATOR: People’s hopes began to rise.
CROWD: Maybe John is the promised one, the messiah.
NARRATOR: John answered them.
JOHN: I am baptizing you in water, but One is coming who is greater than I. I am not worthy to loosen his sandal straps. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire. His winnowing fan is in his hands, ready to separate wheat from chaff. He will gather the wheat into his barn. The chaff he will burn in a fire that never goes out.
NARRATOR: With exhortations like this, John preached the good news to the people.
Luke 3.10-18
Sunday Readings: Zephaniah 3.14-18, Philippians 4.4-7, Luke 3.10-18