Image from agnusday.org
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight”’, John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’ (Mark 1:1-8)
Our friends the sheep in agnusday.org (the cartoon shown above) have it right; John the Baptism is the Ultimate Opening Act. He comes before Jesus to get the crowd ready, gets a lot done, but he himself is not the main act in this drama of the Good News of Jesus coming to the earth. John's arrival was predicted by the Old Testament prophet Isaiah who called John a "messenger" who cried out in the wilderness this message: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight," and whose message included the forgiveness of sins and a spiritual washing the likes of which had never been seen in Israel. Baptism was for those born unclean, not for Jews, but when God's message strikes a chord in your heart, you respond in whatever way seems appropriate. And John drew crowds of people from all around to come and hear the message and to repent of their sins. This in spite of the way he was dressed, though that may have drawn some out of curiosity and were then hit by the message. John wore camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist and he ate locusts and wild honey - yet, he never said, "Hey, look at me!" He knew Who was coming after him and served Jesus well. He even said, "I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals."
This is what Advent is about. So many arrangements still to do to truly celebrate the arrival of the Christ child. So many still to invite and to bring to the family reunion that is Christmas; nonbelievers, lapsed believers, pre-believers, non-active church members, nominal believers; what a list we have of those who should come and be a part of the big celebration. And all it takes is just a word on our part. It does not have to be something fancy or powerful, simply an invitation to come and see what Christmas is all about. It might be a children's program, though some churches have already held theirs; it might be special music or a special message. And the same Holy Spirit that brought the crowds to the Jordan River can bring crowds to our worship celebrations to hear the Good News: God loves the world! God loves the world so much that God gave His only Son, so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Pray and God will give you the words; you provide the mouth.
PRAYER: Loving God, speak to my life in ways that gives me opportunities and openings in which I can share the Good News with someone today and all days. Give me excitement and boldness to be about bringing those who need to hear. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Open your mouth and say something about Good News today!
Eradio Valverde
