Blessed God, renew and refresh the life of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus' name I pray, amen.
Our text comes from Matthew 3: 1 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." 3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' " 4 Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
Where were you when you heard your life needed to change? Was it in church or were you down by the river? Was it a preacher who told you or was it some kook on the corner yelling it at you? Did what he or she said make sense to you or did it just trouble you enough to cause you to reflect on your life? I ask these questions because of the effectiveness of John the Baptist in his day with the people of Judea. His message was simple and straightforward. It cut to their heart and they presented themselves for baptism. They knew the truth when they heard it and so they wanted to be rid of their sin. Whether they heard the second part of this message or not, we'll know one day, but enough heard that this baptism was not all there was; someone else was coming with some other message and purpose. And it's like that even now in our churches; we present ourselves or our children for baptism, but that's not all there is. There's plenty more. And do we take advantage of it and do our part?
The folks who heard John's message heard something that made them go towards him and towards the Jordan River. As they were baptized they confessed their sin and received their forgiveness. As a starting point, this was great! They presented their lives, regardless of their age, to start anew. If was like receiving a brand new completely blank canvas. One can only try so hard to protect it from dirt and smears and spills and stains, and I suppose we can try to cover it over with a first coat of some sort of paint, but it defeats the purpose of being the holder of a masterpiece, an expression of life. Until one allows a brush to be applied to it, the blank canvas stands as unfinished and unfulfilled. May it not be so for the canvas of our lives. Ask for a new canvas and then apply the brush strokes of faith, hope, and love to it!
PRAYER: Here I am, Lord, with my old, tattered canvas, I want to trade it in. As I ask you forgive the smears, stains, pains, smudges, tears on this old one caused by my sins, give me a brand new one! Let me turn it over to faith, hope, and love, so that a masterpiece appear. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
