The Evidence of John
THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT
- First Sunday we read about being ready with our hearts and living for he promise.
- Second Sunday we heard Mark identified the Promise – Jesus the Anointed One, the Son of God, the Messiah, the Saviour of the World.
- Today we ready John the Evangelist speak of the Baptist, the herald of the King of Kings.
- He was greatly acknowledged as a prophet
- And all Jerusalem, Judea and Galilee paid heed to his word.
- In fulfillment of his promise (Protoevangelium)
- God initiates his plan of re-creating man and creation
- He come to earth but his own recognized him not.
- NT Wright says
- But when God sends the Word into the world,
- the world pretends it doesn’t recognize him
- This is the central problem which dominates the whole gospel story.
- Therefore fresh grace is needed, on top of the grace (law) already given (verse 16):
- the law, given by Moses, points in the right direction,
- but, like Moses himself, it doesn’t take us to the promised land.
- In looking up the stories that surround Jesus
- Mark approaches this with presenting facts about Jesus so we can conclude for ourselves.
- One person who features in all the four gospels is John the Baptist
- He was a man mighty in speech and oration
- People were compelled to listen to his words
- He spoke direct
- And did not mince his words
- He did many a signs and wonders
- Many thought he was the Messiah
- But he said he is only a witness to the Messiah
- His forerunner, the herald
- The Messiah indeed s coming, but immediately after him.
- He was a prophet,
- just like Elijah,
- Just as Elijah was a representative of all prophets
- John the Baptist came as a prophet
- Return, return to God
- With all your hearts
- Minds and soul
- With all your desire
- Come back into a relationship with God
- Throw out everything that can keep you away from God
- He himself is coming
- Make space for him in your hearts
- Let him come – he who is the prince of peace
- Welcome him in your hearts
- And let his peace reside in you.
- The Baptist identifies himself with a prophecy of Isaiah (40:1-8)
- that he is a ‘voice’.
- This passage is the beginning of the Consolation section
- Which tells Israel to hold to its hope
- The time indeed is right
- And its Creator is coming
- To restore all things
- This voice will go before the Lord
- He will invite all people to the banquet
- Do come
- Dressed appropriately for the Banquet of the Lord
- He that is coming is the everlasting in life (Is 40:8b)
- And he will thread the streets of Jerusalem, Judea and Galilee
- He will reign over Israel
- But he John the Baptiser, recognises his origins
- Recognises him
- But also recognises, that he himself is not worth to be his servant
- Nor his slave
- Jesus has come into this world
- And with his annual celebration of his coming
- We are invited to re-assess ourselves
- and see that we are dressed appropriately for the Banquet
- What is it that Jesus demands from us
- He demands but our desire for him
- And our presence before him
- Do we want him as part of our lives
