Well this week we have both this week’s reading and next week’s reading because next week Oasis will be leading worship, so today I get to preach for twice as long!
Today in worship, in this time of Advent, that time before we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we think a little about John the Baptist, seen here in a stained glass window by William Morris, with John baptising Jesus. John was called ‘John the Baptist’ because he went about the country side baptising people who wanted to turn to God, and John was also the one who baptised Jesus.
John was just a few months older than Jesus and the Bible says that his mother, Elizabeth, and Jesus mother, Mary, were cousins. Both John and Jesus would have known each other as they grew up, and when they were older, both men were announcers of the way of God, and at times both harsh in their criticisms and challenges of others. John led perhaps a more reclusive life than Jesus, he is talked about as living in the wilderness, and although John is mentioned in all four gospels, it is Mathew and Mark who tell us that he wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. He is given the image of a unkempt, rough looking, almost homeless man.
And when John was baptising people, for the forgiveness of sins, as an act of faith, Jesus also went down to John, into the river Jordan, to be baptised by him. Matthew, Mark and Luke all refer specifically to Jesus being baptised by John in the river. At this time in John’s life, he is the one who is announcing to others, that God is close at hand, that the ways of God are moving, and so John speaks in today’s readings with passages such as
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ ”“I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Well the days and months roll on, perhaps not too many, and soon John is arrested by the King and thrown into prison. In short John is arrested because he criticized King Herod for marrying his brother’s wife. Just before Jesus was crucified he also was sent before the same King, King Herod, but Herod sent him back to Pilate who handed down his own judgment upon Jesus and sent him out for crucifixion. So once again, just before their deaths, both John and Jesus have their lives cross paths, this time in front of King Herod. And it is while John is still alive in prison that we heard today’s second reading, where John sends some of his own followers to Jesus to ask a question… “When John heard in prison what the Messiah [Jesus] was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?”
I think these passages read together are wonderful.
Firstly John cries out amongst the people, “Prepare you the way of the Lord…” “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit…” And certainly when John Baptizes Jesus he expresses that he realizes that Jesus is the one who God has sent to announce the way of God. Even when John is in prison, and sends some of his followers to ask Jesus a question, the text says… “When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples…” Of course it is only the text, not John’s words, but it implies that John knew Jesus was the Messiah, another word for the “one from God”. And yet John asks Jesus through his followers a question that expresses doubt… “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” No doubt John is tired. Probably mistreated and bruised. Alone. He probably knows there is no chance of him getting out of prison alive. And so he wonders if Jesus is really the special one, the one from God, or…. Perhaps…. Do the people really still have to wait for God to do something wonderful amongst their lives…. ?
There are many conflicting influences and elements in our lives. It doesn’t matter if you are a teenager, or 85 years old; there are many things that go on, within and around, to make up our lives.
And just like John, at times in our lives we may have felt very sure of what we believed, and at other times not so sure – doubtful.
Just like John, at times we may have been surrounded by many people who were eager to be with us, but then at another time we find ourselves alone – separated and abandoned.
Just like John, at one time we are alive and free, and at another time we find ourselves facing an uncertain future.
Just like in John’s life, we may have felt deep within that we were loved by God, even blessed, and then at another time wonder where God is and if we have not been abandoned.
And into all these different stages and places in life, we may be simply seeking a word, just as John did, to remind us that God is at work, to remind us that we have not been forgotten, to remind us, and call us, once more, to be a faithful people.
I’m going to invite us to sit in silence, for a few minutes, and remember, or think, or listen, for the thing, or word, that is for us, and reminds us that God is at work and that we are not alone. It might have been a past experience in your life. It might have been something you have seen or heard in the past week. Or you can sit and listen now, and see what word is spoken to you, by God, in the silence. You won’t be asked to share; just to sit in the silence.
Let’s pray.
Today we hear about that faithful man, John the Baptist.
And how he was part of Jesus’ life and God’s way.
And also how he was troubled and doubted.
We thank you God for your small word to each of us today, reminding us that you are at work in our world, at work in our lives.
Amen.