December 5, 2004
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Mindekirken, Dec.5, 2004 The challenge of John the Baptist Matt.3.1-12 John the Baptist is one of the strangest characters in the whole Bible. Luke tells how God acted in a supernatural way and made the relatives Elisabeth and Mary mothers-to-be. Mary became the mother of Jesus, Elisabeth gave birth to John the Baptist. The childhood story of John ends with the words we know as the magnificat of Zechariah, and the remark that the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel. Then there are 30 years of silence before today’s text again reveals the events to us: In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea and proclaimed: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. Every society has its strange characters, people who are different due to their manner of dress, lifestyle and personality. Such people are colorful and they are often regarded with more indulgence than respect. As long as they don’t harm others, they’re left alone. But some people are mentally ill, and need to be taken care of by psychiatry. In Jerusalem there is a hospital with a unit for people who suffer mentally because they think they are the Messiah. John the Baptist was a strange character. It was unusual to live alone in the desert and be dressed in clothing of camel’s hair. He didn’t participate in Fear Factor or Survivor, but even so, he ate locusts and wild honey. When he opened his mouth there might have been those who would have liked to regard him as insane. But when the Baptist was taken into custody, as a consequence for what he had done, it was Herod’s jail, and not a mental hospital. The Baptist was indeed taken seriously. For several hundred years no prophet had appeared in Israel. But there was something about the spiritual authority of John that reminded people of a prophet. His message convinced people that this man was sent from God. John presented himself like this: These words of the prophet Isaiah were originally spoken to the people in exile in Babylon 2500 years ago. They predicted the time of return to the joy and freedom of their homeland. But John the Baptist doesn’t speak of geography, but of a person. They were not to get a homeland, but a king, the Messiah. One who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. John didn’t regard himself as an important person. He’s only a voice. That means that his only concern was to pass on a message. He’s the voice… He is the guide who points out Jesus. With John, the homeland that Isaiah spoke of has become the kingdom of God. And Christ is the way. To go that way is to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and fire. In the river Jordan where John baptized, water symbolized the means of cleansing. Water cleans the surface dirt. Fire however, consumes and melts. When Jesus was supposed to baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, it’s about the deeper change of heart. Something totally new will happen. Jesus will bring something which changes everything. The role of John is to prepare the people for this. He’ll do that by revealing sin and urging people to show mercy and justice. Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise. Luke 3.11. John wanted social injustice to come to an end. He urged people to fight against poverty. I think we need a voice like his in today’s world community where 20% of the people consume 80 % of the resources. John said no to selfishness and materialism, but yes to care and justice. John knew how money and lust for power could make people corrupt. And he attacked the lack of sexual morals. He didn’t consider high or low, he even criticized the royal house. And finally that criticism caused king Herod Antipas to put him in jail and later got him beheaded. In our text, John makes the case against religious arrogance: Do not presume to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our ancestor; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. The Jews were convinced that they were God’s chosen people, which in fact they were. But what benefit would that be if they were spiritually asleep to an extent where there were no consistency between life and teaching? They say the presidential election this fall was decided by people concerned about moral values. John the Baptist was also concerned about moral values. But he was first and foremost concerned about the moral values which were overseen and forgotten. John the Baptist was a strong preacher who used a lot of vibrant pictures when he preached. In the wilderness of Judea where he lived, grass and bushes grew well after the winter rain. But everything got dry during the summer. From time to time fires consumed the dry desert vegetation. Then snakes and other reptiles would flee from the heat. That reminded John of the people of his time; You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? John’s ministry turned into a unique revival. People came in large crowds to be baptized by him in the river Jordan. And John told them to take their conversion seriously: Bear fruit worthy of repentance. We’re soon about to celebrate Christmas. We enjoy decorations, presents, candles, good food and drink. We don’t need to have a bad conscience about our Christmas traditions, but the texts about John the Baptist urges us to practice moderation, to share with others, and to work for justice. But most importantly, John prepares us to receive the savior himself. After all, forgiveness and a new beginning are what we need more than everything else. John is relevant to our time because he points out what is unfair and wrong. He’s a real ethical challenger, and he can’t stand that we stick to what’s wrong. This applies to our society as well as us as individuals. John points at Jesus. We don’t need to be baptized once again. The challenge is to live the new life of baptism, the daily conversion, the constant confidence in the forgiveness of Jesus. Pure joy is based on truth and love. According to John it come from him who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire. That’s the real joy of Christmas. Glory be to God, the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, one true God, now and for ever. Amen. |
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