John the Baptist

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ‘I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’ Matthew 3:7-12 

John the Baptist was the forerunner and guide to Jesus. He stood out in a crowd, his dress was rough, he was itinerant and lived the life of a loner and mystic. Yet, he had crowds of religious leaders coming out to be baptized by him, along with hopeful, faithful people from all over. He told the truth, plain and simple, preparing the people to meet the Son of God. He was so plain spoken that many of the religious authorities took offence at his teachings. He didn't back down and yet they still came out. May we not be afraid of the plainspoken truth and turn our hearts with expectation to a new revelation of Christ.

Wondrous God, we watch your handiwork in stars

we see the beauty of you in the faces of our beloved

and you promise us all new life and new vision.

We are in worrying and exhausting times

when celebrity and violence are page one everywhere

yet you call us to those wilderness places of truth.

Help us to seek out those places and people

who can turn us again right as we follow you

so that love and mercy can flow here once again. Amen.