Sunday 15 December 2024
John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming." (v. 16)
Background
The season of Advent is all about getting ready and, as I get older, the Christmas advertisements on the television and the food and decorations in the shops seem to appear earlier and earlier and become more and more frenetic. Or is that just me?
But, this season of preparation is about getting ready for the celebration of Christ’s birth and getting ready for God’s work.
John leads the way in the call to prepare. He is a voice calling after many years of ‘silence’ from God when there have not been any notable prophets, leaders or voices crying out to lead the people to God and with God.
His words of warning and his call to the people to change their lives echo Isaiah (Isaiah 40:3-5) and all manner of people respond – those with faith, those on the margins, foreigners, the religious, and ordinary everyday people. Each are told the same – turn your life around, don’t rely on your religious heritage, don’t rely on your financial skullduggery, don’t rely on brute force. Rely on God – God is about to act in a new way!
John even challenges the leader of the area (Herod) because of his lifestyle choice in marrying his brother's wife. This causes John’s downfall and imprisonment at the hands of Herod.
To Ponder:
- On what or whom do you rely day to day?
- Who or what shapes your behaviour, your attitudes and actions?
Prayer
Lord, we are called to prepare. As we seek to turn our lives around, let us not lose sight of your presence in the world around us, each and every day. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Una McLean
Una is a retired presbyter living in Northumberland with her small dog Patricia. She enjoys all manner of craft work, reading, theatre, cinema and music. She also participates in Traildog events, which grew out of people running in local park runs with their dogs (today she and Patricia walk them as Una treasures her knees).