Mark’s gospel begins Jesus’s story not with an account of the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth, but instead with the words of two great prophets of Israel. First, we hear Isaiah foretelling a messenger in the wilderness, calling the people to prepare for the messiah. Then we hear both a description of John, that very messenger, and his words about Jesus. Each gospel writer tells the story with their own slant; Mark is eager to show how Jesus is part of the prophetic tradition of the people of Israel and here uses Isaiah’s prophesy and John’s life and preaching as they each help prepare the people and the world for the coming of the messiah. We must look to Matthew and Luke’s gospels for stories about Bethlehem, angels and shepherds, stars and magi.
John the baptizer (as Mark calls him) is an outlandish character. He lives in the wilderness (a place of testing and danger AND also a place people encounter God), wearing odd clothes and eating strange foods. John invites the people to baptism – a ritual washing for repentance and forgiveness to prepare them for the arrival of the messiah. The people receive ritual cleansing from the things they had done wrong (the ways they had broken their religious laws) and admitting their errors. John’s baptism with water (and repentance) helps prepare the people for Jesus’ coming as well as Jesus’ eventual “baptism” with the holy spirit where Jesus’ followers are moved to follow, spreading the vision that Jesus teaches and lives.
In Jesus’ story, John’s role is pointing to Jesus – helping us see where God has come into the world, bringing love, hope, forgiveness, and new life. John’s story always reminds me of so many people in our lives pointing to the presence of God, even when they don’t know it. Sure, preachers and church leaders point to the presence of God, but so do parents, best friends, siblings, and even and strangers. As we get ready to celebrate Christmas, John and others in our lives point beyond the baby in the manger to the adult man – the one who brings healing and new life while calling us to follow him in bringing love, forgiveness, compassion and justice to our own corner of the world.
Who has pointed to hope and new beginnings in your life?
Peace,