When it comes to the Bible’s most colorful characters, John the Baptist is at the top of the list. He may not be the most important, but he is right up there with the most memorable characters in scripture, with his clothing of camel hair, leather belts, and sandals, and his diet of wild locusts and honey.
I wonder about this peculiar character and his wilderness life. In the rugged nature of John’s character, it’s interesting to consider that he is the one who repeats the hopeful promise of a coming Messiah. When he echoes Isaiah and mimics Elijah, we are wise to sit up and take notice of John’s call to repentance, especially when the call comes from such an unexpected source.
In John’s announcement to “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,” an invitation is extended to look around and notice those people and places that need our attention, our love, and our care. How can we prepare ourselves to be ready for a beloved and spirit-filled relationship with Jesus as both his friend and his follower? How will we make our rough places plain and our crooked paths straight?
Through repentance, which literally means to ‘turn around,’ John calls us into the transformational work of ‘getting ready.’ John invites all to open their hearts so that God may enter and make a home in us to further establish the kingdom of heaven on Earth.
We are wise to pay attention to this curious John the Baptist, the one who will capture our attention with his wilderness identity and presence, and set a course for God’s peaceful and restored world.
See you in church,
Pastor Stephanie