Reflections

Luke 3:11 ESV

And he [John the Baptist] answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”

Often we overly simplify the Gospel as a get-out-of-hell-free card. There is more to Jesus' story. What we miss is the real-immediate hell people face every day: people are homeless, without food, and without clothing. Jesus came not just to provide eternal salvation, he came to provide awareness to great social injustice. The above scripture is a response to people desperately wanting to know the way to salvation. John the Baptist responds by talking about tunics and food. A tunic is an important garment--it covers, touches the skin, provides projection, warmth, and divides those "haves" with those "have-nots." Food is also essential for survival, growth and strength. When you take the two together you have a powerful image for the saving action of Jesus. He wraps us with a protection; Jesus provides a food--his word--which can give us the needed tools to change, grow, and to survive. Mennonites have a wonderful philosophy that relates to this point. Mennonites tend to hold to the idea a person must act-out/ show the Gospel. Basically I believe John the Baptist says here, "Hey! Salvation is about healing, and restoring; and it's not exclusive to you!"