Praying Together 8th December 2024

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.” ’

John the Baptist. Hermit. Prophet and Herald of the coming Kingdom of God- some say Elijah himself, returned as promised. Herod’s fascinating political prisoner. Herodias’ hated accuser. Fashion icon – he is, after all, the patron Saint of Tailors… Vegan. (Well possibly – ‘locusts’ could actually be Carob nuts, not insects!). He’s not the archetypal image of a holy man dressed up in fine temple clothes. It’s a wonder that he’s allowed out in public – the sort of person I imagine parents used to scare children and make them behave.

Make way! Make Way! He shouts. The equivalent of motorcycle outriders clearing the path through the crowds for a visiting Head of State. People wonder what on earth he’s talking about, but he has the unique ability to make people listen. The promised one, the Messiah is coming! Get ready. Once he has their attention, he gives them a right royal telling-off. Yes you– you breed of vipers! You’re for the high jump now! Say you’re sorry or else. You’ve a chance to start again, but it begins with you admitting that you need to repent, and then be ready – because your life is going to change forever.

And as for us – how do we respond? John announced the coming of the Messiah – our task is to prepare the way for people to realise that the Messiah has indeed now come, a realisation that starts with us. In our lives, in the things we say, in the things we do, to accept all that Jesus offers, and in following Him proclaim Him King of Kings. Make Way!