December 8th Reflection by Bill Lynch

Luke 3:1-6
The Proclamation of John the Baptist

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
   make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
   and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
   and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” ’

Reflection
Look how this passage begins. It seems to trumpet the power and reign of the famous Tiberius. It goes on and on about him and his title and who he knew or was related to. Then by contrast the introduction of John the Baptist. A simple man in the wilderness. But, let me ask you, which one of the two do you remember the most? Which one of the two can you even name without reading this passage? Do you remember the powerful? Do you remember the humble?

John came to speak God's Word to us. The one of the wilderness in simple clothing with an odd diet is the one I remember. I would flunk a Bible memory test on Tiberius but I would pass one on John the Baptist. Yes, I can even relate to John, and maybe even be able to eat his diet. I like most anything to eat. I may question why though.

John was called by God. All of Jesus' humble disciples are called by God. Through the waters of our baptism the Holy Spirit enlightens us and calls us in some way or another. Perhaps we are called to a career, or perhaps we are called to act in situations daily in our lives, but one way or another God calls his people. And God loves to call the humble nobodies by worldly standards. Yes, God calls the powerful too, but it's the humble nobodies that surprise the world with God's call.

John was called to bring a message that was straight and to the point. Nothing like a message that a politician may use that attempted to please everyone. John's message was direct. John's call set him on fire with passion and urgency. John's call was to bring the Word of God's message to the people. John brought this message forth as himself. A message through a vehicle of a man that was humble and lived a simple life under the stars of God's creation and in the midst of the life of the wilderness. John, in the wilderness would have drawn near to God in prayer and appreciation of all that God created. John, with the preparation of the Creator, was called to herald the announcement of the coming Messiah into this world. A Messiah from heaven to this earth in flesh and blood.

John cries out an image of the earth. An image of a road. An image all people can relate too on this earth. How many hilly, winding roads have we traveled in some obscure path to get somewhere. Here John describes a road, like his message, that is straight and to the point. We create roads that go around things, over things. In some ways we take the simple way but also the most difficult way to our destination.

We can look back on the road we have taken and see the winding, hilly difficulty of our travel. We can repent and look forward to prepare ourselves for the laser straight path to God through Jesus Christ our Messiah. We can prepare ourselves for something new. We can get ready for the coming of Jesus into our lives and our heart. We can prepare ourselves for Christ's second coming to this earth. Christ will come again!

Prayer
Lord, you choose the weak and the humble and surprise the world with your message. As I walk with you this day, lead me and guide me in what you would have me say or do. Forgive my sin and change me into what you would have me be. Come, Lord Jesus, come... today... tomorrow and forever. --- Amen