We celebrated Advent by remembering the forerunner, John the
Baptist. John told the delegations, who
had come to find out who he was, that he baptized with water but the one following
would baptize with the Holy Spirit. Water
ritually cleans from sin.
John, as the forerunner, understood his role: he was humble, not filled with self. He did not claim to be more than he was. He had lived a solitary life in the desert,
wearing animal skins and eating wild honey, until he was impelled by the Holy Spirit
to begin his Godly mission to Israel.
Most of all, John was a humble servant of God. Today, in a success-driven world, we make
decisions putting the world’s priorities first and God last. We are told in Holy Scripture to lay up
treasures in heaven. What are those
treasures? Jesus put forth the Father’s
doctrine when he gave us The Beatitudes. Blessed are the meek, he said.
Matthew 23 points out those who exalt themselves shall be
humbled, and the individual who humbles himself shall be exalted. If we are self-centered, we will sooner or
later fail because of our human imperfections (our sinful nature). Also, only those who show mercy shall receive
mercy. In 1 Corinthians 4:2 it says, “moreover, it is required in stewards, that a
man be found faithful.” May we all be as faithful as John in proclaiming
Christ Jesus!
“What went ye out into
the wilderness to see? … Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written, Behold,
I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee” (Matt. 11).
The Collect FOR JOHN BAPTIST (24 JUNE)
Almighty God, by whose providence thy servant
John Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of thy Son our
Saviour, by preaching of repentance: Make us so to follow his doctrine and holy
life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and after his
example constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer
for the truth's sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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