Daily Devotional for Small Group Discussion: Good News?

Discussion Questions

1. As you understand it, what is the good news of the winnowing fork and the threshing floor of Luke 3:16-18? Or do you not consider it to be “good news” at all? (As needed, research the agricultural terms in these verses to understand the metaphor.)
2. How does the winnowing fork transform? How does love transform? What is similar and dissimilar about these transformations?

John answered, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. – Luke 3:16-18 (NRSV)

Good news?! I guess it depends which side of the fork you are on. This is certainly not a vision of the baby born in a manger and wrapped in swaddling cloth.

John’s idea of the Messiah was all about power and might and control. It is what the people wanted after centuries of oppression and colonization. “Finally, some justice!” I imagine some thinking.

But instead of a winnowing fork, Jesus comes with open hands, inviting all into right relationship. A relationship grounded in a love so expansive it became flesh so we can feel it. Touch it. Allow it to transform us.

Jesus comes and offers living water to all. He offers the bread of life to all. Jesus reminds us that we, too, are sourced from this love. Made from it. And can live into it more fully. This love will make us free!

Prayer
Thank you for this season of remembering, sharing the story, and inviting others into the possibility of your love. Amen.

About the Author
Marilyn Pagán-Banks (she/her/ella) is a queer womanist freedom fighter gratefully (though not always gracefully) serving as executive director of A Just Harvest, Senior Pastor at San Lucas UCC, and adjunct professor at McCormick Theological Seminary. She is a joyful contributor to The Words of Her Mouth.