Within the first few chapters of each of the Gospels, John the Baptist is a powerful presence. He explodes onto the scene, drawing thousands away from their homes to the banks of the River Jordan. Here he preaches to the multitudes, challenging them to reach out to God and confess their sins, before baptizing them in the river.
The three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke), tell us that this had been prophesied hundreds of years before by Isaiah:
"a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
'Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.'” (Mark 1: 3)
‘It’s time to get ready, people. He’s coming! Something amazing is about to happen.’
The last prophet to speak words from the Almighty was Malachi. But then God fell silent - for nearly 500 years until John the Baptist, but let’s step back for a sec. Have you ever wondered why this moment in time was chosen? Why then?
History tells us a few things about John’s homeland - Israel - at the beginning of the 1st Century. Everything took place during the era known as “Pax Romana”, a time of relative peace throughout the known world. But peace was only on the surface, there was a confusing plethora of religions and philosophies and morality was on a downward slide.
The rich were very rich, while the poor were desperate and, depending on which Emperor held the reigns, there were seasons when fear was as close as the front door.
An apparent peace throughout a world where truth was uncertain, the world’s values drifting dangerously away from God’s Word, too many poor and vulnerable, and fear. Does this sound familiar?
But in a quiet corner of the world, for the Jew and the seeker, there was a genuine hope that the God of Israel was real and at work. A new king had been promised and John was preparing the way.
‘It’s time to get ready, people. He’s coming! Something amazing is about to happen.’
I wondered the other day, what is God doing in 2020? What if, behind the scenes of our COVID world, God is at work, doing something new and amazing today? In the midst of this crazy time we are in, what if confusion, uncertainty and fear are the very things God is using to draw people to him; to stir hearts to reach out for Him?
And what if you and I are the ones chosen to help point the way? Like John the Baptist.
But how do we do that in a world of social distancing?
John the Baptist drew people out of their homes and into the desert to speak of a new kingdom and a new king. How do we point people to Jesus at a time when people must stay in their homes?
Maybe it’s time to get creative.
The Best is Yet to Come. God bless - Terry
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