Many years before Jesus’ birth, Isaiah, the prophet wrote:
“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way”[c]—
“a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”
And in the wilderness, John the Baptist, preached repentance for forgiveness of sins. There in the Jordan River, John baptized those who came to confess their sins. 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. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
This passage was written by John Mark. He was not a disciple, but a traveling companion of Paul and Barnabas in sharing the “Good News of Jesus Christ.” It is believed that he assisted Apostle Peter while in Rome and it was there that he wrote the Gospel of Mark based on his memories of the teachings of Paul and Peter. The Book of Mark is believed to be the first gospel written.
Pastor Sarah explained that the Book of Mark does not talk about the Christmas story, but begins with the words of Isaiah and the story of John the Baptist.
The references made by Mark in this scripture paint a picture of messengers living in the wilderness as they prepare the way for God’s Son.
John the Baptist was a strange man, who ate locusts and wore camel hair clothing; yet he gave his life as God’s servant. He was a voice crying in the wilderness, asking followers to prepare for the coming of our savior.
Isaiah and John were humble men called by God…dreamers…chosen to teach us to be ready for Christ.
There is a dreamer in all of us – for a deeper connection with God and for a better world.
We dream for a time when the world is at peace and we can open our church doors and sing to the top of our voices thanking God for having sent us his baby son on Christmas.
Let us sing “fierce like Mary, brave like Joseph and with new dreams, like Jesus.”
It may feel like we are in the wilderness, but let us remember Isaiah and John; men who taught us to dream. The time is now.
God bless you all!