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Up-to-the-minute jumping-off points for sermons, linking the reading to the latest news and global issues
The message from nowhere
God’s word for us often comes suddenly and without preparation (Matthew 3:1).
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John the Baptist and Elijah (1 Kings 17:1) are often compared. They are both wild and woolly characters who seemingly appear out of nowhere to deliver their prophetic word. And they do not mince their words. John calls the religious leaders of his day a ‘Brood of vipers.’ (Try that in one of your sermons!) So often God’s approach to us is experienced as an interruption to our flow of life. In this season of Advent think of how the birth of God’s son, Jesus, certainly was not expected when, where and how it happened. How often is this divine interruption repeated in the Bible, the lives of saints and your life?
Why baptism? Rituals of cleansing were not uncommon in the ancient Near East. There seems to be a natural feeling of uncleanliness in the presence of the divine. Assyria and Babylonia had the ‘house of washing’. Leviticus mandated ritual purification for priests (Leviticus 16:4. 24) and menstruating women (Leviticus 15). The community at Qumran (from where many scholars believe John had come) laid heavy emphasis on rites of immersion. In most of these instances, the ritual immersion was either for entry into a new community/way of life or a cleansing from sin/ritual impurity. For John, however, baptism is a combination of both: repentance of sins and entrance into the kingdom heaven. In any case, by the time the book of Acts was written, baptism was clearly established in the fledgling Christian communities.
Many people respected John as a prophet — such as Elijah. Our word ‘prophet’ comes from the Greek, πρoφήτης (prophetas), which means ‘mouthpiece’ or ‘one through whom God speaks.’ This is certainly appropriate for John as he does not seek followers or sycophants but is pointing towards the Messiah. ‘The one who comes after me is mightier than I am, whose sandals I am not worthy to remove’ (3:11). Even Jesus didn’t come to start ‘Jesuanity’ per se, but to call people into a closer relationship with God and to live as a forgiven, reconciled and compassionate people.
Questions for discussion
- In what surprising ways have God’s word, voice, message come to you? What was your reaction? The Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries website might help fuel discussion:
- What significance does Baptism have in your church community? Is it merely a sacrament or a rite of passage? What are the arguments for or against infant/adult baptism? Explain why.
- Who are some world leaders (historic or present-day) you respect for their focus on and for the people they were elected to serve? What qualities do you admire and why?
- How does John’s self-effacing behaviour stack up against figures in the news today (Trump, Putin, …)?
Revd Dr Jack Lawson is a freelance writer and author of five novels: Doing Time, No Good Deed, Criminal Justice, The Woods and Dirty Business.
Check-in
Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people
John the Baptist knew that it wasn’t about him, but about the One who was coming after him, Jesus. It must have been tempting to change message under the pressure of the Pharisees and Sadducees; to share an easier message in order to get an easier life. But John knew his calling wasn’t an easy one; it was a calling to prepare the way for the One greater than he.
We can see through the World Cup in Qatar how hard it can be to make a stand for what you believe, whether that be for persecuted Christians, migrant workers or the LGBTQI+ community. And yet, as Christians, we are called to ‘produce fruit in keeping with repentance’ (v8); to stand out from the crowd and make a difference. To point people to Jesus. Praise God that there’s plenty of examples today of Christians and churches pointing people to Jesus through hosting refugees, to hosting/supporting foodbanks and Warm Spaces, and out in Qatar. How can you and your church play your part this season?
Jonathan Buckley is Youth Coordinator for Sheffield Methodist Circuit.
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