Each of the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell us of the ministry of John the Baptizer, getting people ready for the coming of the the Messiah. Evidently, some prep is needed. People need to be brought along to the changing of the world. They need to be massaged a bit, made ready, for the pure love of God breaking into human reality.
It’s a drastic message, so it must come from a drastic source. John is known for wearing camel’s hair clothing and eating locusts, yes, the bugs, and honey. That was way out, even for the first century. But it got people’s attention. And we are told that people flocked to the wilderness, to the Jordan River, to be baptized by John, to be prepared for what God was about to do.
Now, how do we prepare for Jesus’ coming today? We buy presents. We buy more presents. We perpetuate the story of Santa and the flying reindeer, who bring toys to girls and boys. And we like heart warming stories where kids who might not have gotten any presents find gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. We like to support efforts to bring a little Christmas to those who are left out the rest of the year. This is all well and good, but then we wrap Christmas up, put it away, for another year.
But John the Baptizer reminds us that there is more to the message of Jesus. More than charity though that is certainly needed in our world today. But John also speaks of justice. A new world order. Where there is no need because people are not taken advantage of, abused, oppressed, demeaned and degraded. When the command for justice is fulfilled, there is very little need for charity.
Prayer: May we prepare ourselves for the new reality ushered in by the gospel of Jesus. May we not be afraid of the power of the gospel. Amen.
This devotion was prepared by Rev. Kim P. Wells, pastor of Lakewood United Church of Christ in St. Petersburg, FL.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 