Daily Lesson for October 1, 2020

 Today's Daily Lesson comes from Luke chapter 3 verses 1 through 2:

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

The Lesson today begins with focus on all the leaders of the Roman world in ancient Palestine. These are the mighty and powerful, the rulers, and sons of rulers. Contemptible, cruel, and even incestuous, they were also guardians of the so-called Pax Romana -- the peace of Rome garnered and guarded by sword point and cross. And the high priesthood, which is mentioned here amongst the powers by intent, had itself become a handmaiden to these Roman powers.

So then, it is interesting that here appears John, a son of a priest, found not in the Temple at Jerusalem amongst the courts of the tetrarchs, but out in the wilderness. And there to John son of Zechariah the word of God came out in the wilderness.

We are living in a time when all eyes are on the main stage of history -- on prime ministers, and presidents, and vice presidents, and governors, and mayors. But watch for those in the wilderness -- those living, and working, and begging, and barely holding on, and just trying to survive amidst poverty and pandemic.

Watch for them. For the word of God is with them out there in the wilderness.

And so is the son of the priest John.

And Jesus is too . . .

NOTE: We are reading the whole Bible through this year. Tomorrow's Lesson comes from Matthew 4 and Luke 4-5.