“How was school today?”

“Good,” the boys reply. One boy tosses his bloated book bag on a chair while the other reaches to hang his coat on a coat hook.

“I’ve got some chili here if you’d like a cup,” I say.

“Mmmm,” says one boy.

“So, did you learn anything interesting at school today?”

“We learned about different world religions.”

“Really? That’s pretty cool. Which ones did you study?” I ask.

“We talked about Christianity, Islam, and the Jewish faith.”

“Which religion did you find most interesting?”

“Islam,” says one boy. “But I can’t wait to study Buddhism.”

“So, do Muslims believe in one god or many gods?”

“ONE!” the boys shout in unison. Their answer and confidence made me feel that they were eager to share what they had learned.

“And how many gods do you guys believe in?” (See how I snuck that one in there? I couldn’t resist. I mean we were all openly talking about gods and what they were learning in school.)

“One,” they say again.

“Interesting,” I reply with a nod.

The conversation may have ended there but it’s not over. They’ll be back again.

And…who knows?

Maybe the next time they stop in we can talk about Buddhism.

Thank you for supporting Cups Cafe. There is a verse on the chalkboard at Cups. It’s Romans 10:9 which reads, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Our brief conversations and those scriptures written on chalkboards are small ways in which we can plant seeds of faith in the hearts and minds of inquiring students.

One interesting part of the Christmas story are the teachings of a guy who wears a real fur coat, eats bugs, offers free baths in the local river, and calls people terrible names. He says folks are a brood of vipers (Luke 3:7). A brood of (i.e. a group of)…vipers!

John is right.

We’re not actually vipers with venomous fangs but people are a lot like that breed of snake. We lay in wait and bare our teeth. We hiss and attack our friends and family with a vicious, painful bite. Don’t we?

The truth is: we are fallen creatures whose venom flows out of the wickedness our hearts (Jeremiah 17:9; Luke 6:45; Luke 11:39-41; Matthew 23:25-26).

We don’t have fangs but we lie to our boss and falsely accuse our friends to protect our reputation. We don’t hiss but we hate family members and say awful things about them to others and are quick to point out their behavior and past decisions right to their face. We don’t slither but we slide through life seeking ways to break our promise to be faithful to our spouse and grab for what doesn’t belong to us. We’ll strike at anyone who tries to get in our way or stop us from doing and getting whatever we want. These thoughts, words, and deeds should not be the evidence of a changed life.

The evidence of sincere repentance and faith is love (Gal. 5:6). John tells the crowd to produce fruit in keeping with their repentance (Luke 3:8).

Confused by this they ask him, “What should we do?”

He tells them, “The man who has two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.”

To the tax collectors he says, “Don’t collect any more than you are required.”

And to the soldiers John answers, “Do violence to no man and don’t accuse people falsely-be content with your pay.”

These teachings are so earthy and simple, almost raw. (So why do we make life and our faith so complicated?) His words to the people are similar to what the prophet Micah says about what it is that the Lord requires of us. God wants us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8). John teaches us to love. He tells us to give and share, to be just and humble and content, toward our neighbors, our friends, and our family. To me, John sounds a little like a scolding mother. I can almost hear him saying, “Now Tim, share your toys!”

I’m so thankful to God for keeping His covenant promises by sending us Jesus, because He is the only one who is able to forgive a snake like me and restore hope in my heart and deliver me (Romans 7:24-25).

Have you discovered hope? Then it’s time to trust.

Are you a forgiven viper? Then begin to love all over again.

If you have two coats, then think about giving one to someone who has no coat at all. And if you have a pantry full of food, consider sharing it with someone truly hungry. If you’re in a position of authority, do not use excessive force or exacerbate those under your care whether you’re a police officer, parent, or employer. And be thankful and content this Christmas with what you have been given.

Cups Cafe has more than one “coat.” We’ve been given nearly 200 pairs of brand new socks and brand new Thinsulate winter hats all purchased from TSC. Help us give them away to those in need by spreading the word this Christmas and throughout the winter. People needing these items can simply stop in the cafe.

A Forgiven Viper,

Tim