Mark 1:4-11 (NIV) 4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
A man named John appeared in the desert, not far from Jericho on the banks of a shallow stream call the Jordan River. He wore a camel hair habit and a leather belt tied at the waist. John appeared denouncing Herod, saying that Herod’s wealth could not protect him from God’s wrath. And his words ignited a fire in Israel. John was like David taking on Goliath without a slingshot, only with words, hard words and honest words. And John was like the prophets of old, confronting the powers that be with a total disregard for his own life and with a consuming zeal for the righteousness of God.
John awoke a spirit in the people that had been asleep for a long, long time. But then he did something else. He told the people to repent, to quit blaming others, quit feeling like a victim of the Romans, quit complaining. He told the people to accept responsibility for what they had done wrong and sweep it outside. He told them they could do something that would make a difference. And that something was to repent, accept responsibility and be baptized. Baptism signals God’s forgiveness for those who take responsibility for the wrong they have done.
And for the people who had felt helpless, for those who had been assuming there was nothing they could do, this message was a heady thing. It was an exhilarating experience. It was a spiritually liberating recovery of freedom that they had given over to Roman occupation. How marvelous to emerge from the dark land of blame and of feeling helpless to the light and joy of having a choice. It just didn’t get any better than this.
But John said that there was more. There was One coming after him who would be mightier than he. When Jesus came and walked calmly into the water, bowing His head before John to be baptized, a white dove came and rested on His shoulder, a sign of all creation participating in revealing the truth of baptism. What more could there be that would be any better than the freedom and relief brought to life by repentance? To be one who is beloved by God and in whom God is well pleased.
From a sermon preached by Henry Dobbs Pope January 9, 2000
© Rhonda Hinkle Mitchell Broyles
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