Mark 1:4-6
“John the Baptizer appeared in the wild, preaching a baptism of life-change that leads to forgiveness of sins. People thronged to him from Judea and Jerusalem and, as they confessed their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordan River into a changed life. John wore a camel-hair habit, tied at the waist with a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild field honey.”
“This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.”
God was at work through John to prepare the hearts of the people for Jesus. Times were confusing and stressful. People looked for something to meet their gnawing anxiety and need. Charismatic and eccentric John got people’s attention. He called them to face sin and undergo an immersion ceremony in water symbolizing the washing away of their sin.
Our times are confusing and stressful too. God’s work in our heart begins with a conviction of sinfulness, of falling short. There seems little hope of God’s message gaining hold with this self-absorbed generation where fault always belongs to someone else. But God works in them nonetheless. We must trust to the unseen, not letting the seen discourage us. God worked that way in 1st Century Palestine and still does. The times are worrisome indeed, but not beyond God’s calling people to himself and his work of redemption.
Lord, give me courage to speak the light and hope you give. Give me wisdom to recognize and comfort those who despair. May your Spirit flow in and around the elements of our being, bringing hope and clear sight to those suffering with sin and its consequences. May I faithfully message your Word as you have so faithfully grown and protected me. I am yours.