Who holds the power?

AM Psalm 55 • PM Psalm 138, 139:1-17(18-23)
Isa. 10:20-27 • Jude 17-25 • Luke 3:1-9

I am always fascinated by the opening of this reading. Setting the context of the narrative by listing out who was in rule the year that John was proclaiming “make way.” What does it mean to us two thousand something years later? We can probably surmise a little about what kind of cultural climate John was ministering in thanks to the historical record. I wonder, if we were to record the good work happening here at St. Paul’s in the year of our Lord 2022 what markers would we choose as essential. How would we choose to frame the Good News for future readers?

John shares that while Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Annas, and Caiaphas might hold worldly power at the time his audience are still the children of Abraham. What does it mean to be God’s chosen people in the face of ruling systems of oppression?

What could it mean to us personally to say in the time when ___ was president or governor or mayor or principal or boss I was still a beloved child of God? This identity is not corrupted by the forces that corrupt other parts of the world and our lives. Yes, policies have real impacts on our lives. And, no matter what God loves us and cares for us and our well being.

Written by Samantha Clare

Samantha looks for Good News every day.