Responsibility: Canon Ianbarlow

5thJune2016THIRDSUNDAYAFTERPENTECOSTYearC

Responsibility: Canon IanBarlow

"AsJesusapproachedthegateofthetown,amanwhohaddiedwasbeingcarriedout.Hewashis mother'sonlyson,andshewasawidow. WhentheLordsawher,hehadcompassionforherandsaidto her 'Donotweep'."(Luke7:12,13)

Itusedtobethatthetopiconedidnotspeakaboutwassex.Today it seemsthattheshunnedtopicisdeath.Todaypeoplespeakfreelyaboutsex,butseemafraidorreluctanttodiscussdeath,asifitweresomethingimproper.Awholerangeofsynonymsisused,like"passingover","atrest"evenfallingoffthetwig".Andwhensomeoneisbereaveditseemstobetheideatoattempttodiverttheirmindbytalkingaboutsomething,anything,else.Ofcoursethatmaywellbeourembarrassmentinthefaceofgrief.Nooneitseemswantstolistentothemwhentheytalkaboutthedearonefromwhomtheyhavebeenpartedfortherestoftheirearthlylife.Verymanypeopleareunabletofacetherealityofthefactofdeath,andsoislostthefullgloryoftheChristianbeliefintheexpectationofresurrectiontolifeeternal.Ofcoursewhenwelosesomeonewelovewewanttotalkaboutthemaboutourloss,ourloneliness,andtoexpressourgrief.Itisrightthatwedosoandencourageotherstodoso.WithourBritishinheritanceofthestiffupperlipweareveryinhibited'‐othersocalledprimitivepeoplecanexpresstheirgriefandpaininawaywecannot.ButthegriefofaChristianistemperedbythebeliefthatourearthlydeathisnottheend,thatweshallmeetagaineventhoughthewhereandhowishiddenfromus.Weoughtnottobesadforthosewhoseearthlylifeisfinished‐onlyforourselvesandourownlossandloneliness.Forweareafterallhumanandwefeelthepainofseparation,anditisproperthatweshouldexpressit.Andaswetalkandthinkaboutourlovedoneandourfeelingsandevenourinabilitytounderstandwhytragedieshappen,wemaywellfindthatChristcomfortsusandwefindourselvesthankingGodforthejoyandthelovethatwehaveknown.

TheisolationofthewidowofNainintoday'sGospelcanbeappreciated,forsorrowcanbeanisolatingbarrierevenwhenwearesurroundedbyfriends.Oftenfriendsfinditawkwardandembarrassingtobeinthecompanyofonewhoisgrieving,andsotheystayaway.Thiswomanhadlostherhusband, andnowshehadlostheronlyson.Nohopecouldhavebeeninthiswoman'sheart–shehadnoknowledgeofthehopeofeternallife;shehadnofaithtoreachouttoJesus,andinfactshemadenoappealtohim.SHEDIDN’TKNOW,THEN,thatHewastheChrist.ThereisnosuggestionthatsheevenknewofHisexistence.ButJesuswasthere,andthisisthegreatpointoftheGospelfortoday:thecompassionofChrist.Therewasnootherreasonforhisrestorationtolifeofthatyoungman.Jesuswasnotgiventodoinghisactsofmercy andhealinginfrontofcrowdsofpeople,sothismusthavebeenaspecialsituationwhichdemandedhispity.

TheLorddoesnotalwaysrestorelovedonestous,eveninsituationsofheart‐breakingtragedy:thatispartofthepricefallenhumanitymustpay.Butscientistsarealwaysdevelopinganddiscoveringnewlifeextendingandpreservingmethodsandprocedures,andsurely:manyofthesecanonlybedescribedas"Spiritinspired".ButineverysituationweChristiansknowJesusisthere,andhisheartgoesouttousthroughoursorrowandfeelingofisolationincompassion.Wemaynotalwaysrecognisethat,ifwe'retooboundupinourgriefandpain,butheistherewaitingforustoturntohim.Similarlywhenwegotobewithsomeonewhohasbeenbereaved,thatiswhatwemusttakewithus‐compassion,andthereassurancetheJesuscares.Howcanweprepareourselvesagainstthedayofbereavement,loss,andsorrow,forourowndemiseandthatofourlovedones?

Perhapsthreethings.

Thefirstispreparation.Itisaveryshort‐sightedpersonwhobelievesthattragedywillnotcometohim,orher.Andwhenitdoes,itistoolatetobephilosophical.Thephilosophy,thefaith,theacceptancemustbebuiltupanddevelopedbeforehand‐andwhoknowshowmuchtimeanyoneofushastoprepare?Sowemustbuildupandconfirmourfaithwhileourfamilyandourfriendsarehappilyaroundus.

Next,wemustexercisecouragewhenthetimeofadversitycomes.Othershave‐facedthisbefore,Othershavecomethrough.Wewilltooevenifthegoingisroughforawhile.IfweknowhowtoseekthegraceofGod,andarereallyawareofhiscompassion,ourcouragewillbethegreater,ourinnerstrengththestronger.

Andthirdlypatience.Everystormblowsitselfouteventually.Ofcoursetheyleavetheirmark‐branchesareblownfromtrees,flowersarespoilt,bushesaretousledandflattened.Butacalmalwaysfollows,andweshouldwaitforthepainofhurtandbereavement:toeasebeforewemakechangesand decisions.Itmaywellbethatallthisisnothingnewtosomeofyou.Forothersthismaybetheory.Butundoubtedly,somedaywewilleachneedaphilosophysupportedbyfaithtofallbackon.Ifwehavenothing,ourgriefwillbepainfulindeed.IfweknowthatourGodcares,thoughwewillstillgrieve,andrightlyso,yetwewillknowthecompassionofGodinoursadness.BeingaChristiandoesnotremoveourtrialsandtribulations;wearenotsparedgrief,pain,orsorroweitheronourownbehalforthatofourlovedones.Jesuswept,ifyouremember,atthegravesideofhisfriendLazarus.

Faithexercisedwithcourageandpatience,willenableustocarryon.Inourdealingswithothersintheirtimesofstress,wearecalledtoministerChrist‐likecompassion,aswefollowinthestepsofourLord,whobyhisownsuffering,death,andresurrectionprovedthatwehavenoreasonforfearingourowndeath,andindeedshouldendeavourtopassonthatreassurancetothosewhoareafraid.

ThemournerswhoobservedtheraisingtolifeoftheyoungmanofNainwereseizedwithfear.SomeversionsoftheNewTestamentusetheterm"awe".WearesoaccustomedtohearingorreadingsuchstoriesaboutJesusasthisthatwetendtotakethemforgrantedandarenotawestruckbythem.Butimaginetheeffectonthosepeople!AndtheyglorifiedGod!DoweglorifyGodwhenwehearofthegreathealingaccomplishmentofdoctors,andsurgeons,andmedicalscientists?Ibelieveweshould,forthissurelyisthewayofGodamongustoday. Amen

12th JUNE 2016FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOSTYearC

Responsibility: Canon Ian Barlow

"Jesus said to the woman:Yourfaith has saved you ‐goinpeace." (Luke 7:50)

WehavejustheardintheGospelpassagefortodaythatlovelystoryofthepenitentwomanpouringout herloveanddevotiontoJesusinanextravaganceofemotion.SimonthePhariseerespectedJesusenoughtoinviteHimtodineathishome,andreferredtoHimas"Teacher"or"Master".HethoughtthatJesusmightpossiblybeaprophet.WeareaccustomedtohearingofthePhariseesasthebadguys,allblindlyopposedtoJesusandallthatHedidandsaid.Therewereexceptions.Joseph,ofArimathea,whogavehistombforJesustobeburiedin,wasone.AnotherwasNicodemus,whoassistedJosephattheburial.NowherewasanotherwhowasatleastwillingtogiveJesusago.Perhaps, beingaPharisee,hewantedtoseeforhimselfwhatkindofmanthisJesuswas,thisJesuswhohadbeenstirringupSimon'sfellowPhariseesandotherleadersoftheJewishreligion.Hiswelcomewaslessthaneffusiveandprobablyguarded,andhereceivedHimwithcoolpoliteness,withoutanyofthecourtesieswhichwentwithawarmwelcome‐thefootbathtowashoffthestreetdust,thekiss,theanointingwithperfume.

LeonardodaVinci'spictureofTheLastSupper,showingJesusandtheapostlessittingatatrestletableonstools,ishistoricallyinaccurate.AtanEasternbanquettheguestslefttheirsandalsatthedoorandreclinedontheirleftsideonalowcouch,withtheirfeetbehindthem.Itwasnotuncommonforthedoorstobeleftopentoadmitallsortsofpeople,frombeggarsinsearchoffoodtoarabbi'sadmirersinsearchofintellectualentertainment.ThereisnoevidencetosuggestthatthewomanwhocametostandbehindJesushadeverspokenwithHim.NodoubtshehadseenandheardHimasHespokeinpublicandwhatsheheardhadconvincedherofthesinfulnessandthefollyofherlife‐style.Shehadbeenawomanofdeservedlybadreputation,andnowshecametorepentanceandtoacknowledgementoftheloveofJesusevenforasinnerlikeherself.Nowshecametomakeasign,anextravagantgesture,ofhergratitudetotheonewhohadsetherfreeandputherbackontheroadtoself‐respect.BeforeshecouldanointJesus'feetwithointment,heremotionspiltoverandhertearsfellonthem.Forgettingthatshewasnowadecentwomananddecentwomendidnotdothissortofthing,sheloosenedherhairtowipethemaway.Touseherhairforthispurposeandnotreachforahandkerchiefwasprobablyanextensionofheremotionalreaction.

ShockandhorrorshowedonthepartofSimonandtheuprightandvirtuouspeoplearoundthetable.Surely,ifJesusreallywasaprophetHewouldrecoilfromthisdemonstrationonthepartofsuchadreadfulsinner!ButSimonsawonlyasinner,whereasJesussawasinner,repentant,pardoned,andrestored.TogetthemessagehometoSimonandtheothers,JesustoldtheparableoftheTwoDebtors,anddrewfromSimontheadmissionthatthosewiththegreatestsinsforgivenarelikeliesttodisplaythegreatestoutpouringofemotionalresponse.Jesusdeducedfromtheextravaganceofthiswoman'sdisplaythatshehadindeedbeenlabouringundermanysins."Hersins,whichweremany,havebeenforgiven;henceshehasshowngreatlove."

SoJesusdeclaredtoher:"Yoursinsareforgiven...... Yourfaithhassavedyou;goinpeace."Shedidnotearnherforgivenessbythatgreatdemonstrationofherlove.Itwasherfaith,notherlovethatsavedher.Heroutpouringoflovewastheresultofthepardonwhichshehadcometoacknowledge.

Theotherguestsbegantosay"Whoisthiswhoevenforgivessins?"Firstthecalmacceptanceofanemotionaloutpouringfromaknownsinner,whichsurelynotrueprophetwouldcountenance,andnowthepositiveandauthoritativepronouncementthathersins,thoughmany,wereforgiven."Whoisthis?"TimeandagaininreadingaboutJesuswearefacedwiththatsamequestion.ItisaquestionwhichgoesbeyondthepagesoftheNewTestament.Itfacesus,andwemustanswerittoo.

Bycontrasttheevilwoman,Jezebelinthatunpleasantstoryintoday's0ldTestamentreadingdidnotrepentofhersinsorseekforgivenessandamendmentoflife.HerhusbandAhabwasanastypieceofworktoo‐aspoiledbratofamanwhobecamepetulantandturnedhisfacetothewallandwouldn'teatbecausehecouldn'tgetwhatwasnothis.Hewaswellandtrulyunderhiswife'sthumb,andmeeklycarriedoutherordersinthevillainousplot.

ElijahtheTishbitewasamightyprophetwhohadnofearofanyperson,kingornot,andunflinchinglyproclaimedthejusticeofGodasheunderstoodit.TherewasnogentleforgivenessfromElijah.Itisapitythattheextractendsthere,becauseitgoeson:"ThereneverwasamanlikeAhab,whosoldhimselftodoevilintheeyesoftheLord,urgedonbyJezebelhiswife."HoweverwhenAhabheardElijah'spronouncementofthewrathofGoduponhim,"hetorehisclothes,putonsackclothandfasted.Helayonsackclothandwentaroundmeekly."(v.27)Itgoeson:"ThenthewordoftheLordcametoElijahtheTishbite:HaveyounoticedhowAhabhashumbledhimselfbeforeme?Becausehehashumbledhimself,Iwillnotbringthisdisasterinhisday,butIwillbringitonhishouseinthedaysofhisson."AcuriousunderstandingofthejusticeofGod‐thatbecauseAhabhumbledhimselfhewassavedandtheretributionfellonhisdescendants!AverydifferentunderstandingofJesus'portrayalofGod'smercy,whenthewoman'soutpouringoflovefollowedherforgiveness:shewasnotforgivenbecauseofheradoration.HereisanotherexampleofJesussettingtheOldTestamentunderstandingtorights.

Justtocompletethehorriblestory:Ahabwaskilledinbattleshortlyafter.Hisbloodwaswashedoutofhischariotatapoolwheretheprostitutesbathed‐whateversignificancethathas‐andthedogslickeduphisblood"asthewordoftheLordhaddeclared."AsforJezebel,theenemiesofherkingdomofJudahdefeatedherson,andtheythrewheroutofawindowofthecastle,andhorsestrampledherunderfootanddogsfinishedheroff.(2Kings9:30‐37)Hereisapageofhistorywithoutalottocommendit,butcertainlyitservesasastrongcontrasttoJesus'messageoftherealjusticeofGod,alovingandmercifulFather.

TheEpistleputsthiswholebusinessofearningourforgivenessintotheologicalterms.ItbearsonjustwhatJesussaidtotherepentantwoman:"Yourfaith‐notyourworks‐yourfaithhassavedyou."Thistechnicalterm"tobejustified"simplymeanstobeputintherightwithGod.Thisisaftera11ouraimasfollowersofGod‐tobeintherightwithGod.Paul,asaPharisee,hadtriedtogethimselfrightwithGodbykeepingtheLawofMosesandalltheaccumulationoflegalinterpretationsarisingfromit.InhisencounterwiththerisenChriston

theroadtoDamascus,helearnedthatthisjustificationisnotsomethingtobeearned,butsomethingtobereceived,asagift:throughwhatChristhasdone.Itisnotfaiththatistheprimarycauseofjustification:PaulcertainlyhadnofaithinJesusasGodIncarnateatthetimeofhisconversion.ItistheactofGodinChrist,anactdescribedbyPaulas"grace",sheerundeservedforgivenessofthesinner.FaithistheconditiononthehumansideforreceivingGod'sforgiveness.

AlthoughPauldeclaresthat"apersonisjustifiednotbytheworksofthelawbutthroughfaithinJesusChrist",thisdoesnotmeanthatworkshavenoplaceintheChristianlife:theyaretheresultoflifeinChrist.Itistheanswertotoday'sheresythatapersonisaChristianbecausehedoesgoodworks,behavesinamoralway,helpstheunderdog.Manywhoareinvolvedinhelpful,unselfishsocialwork,organisedbyServiceClubs,seethemselvestobeasgoodasthosewhogotochurch.Perhapstheyare,inamoralandsociallyhelpfulsortofway‐thatmaybeanindictmentonmanychurchgoers‐buttheyarenotChristianbecauseofthat.ChristiangoodworksresultfromfaithasSt.JameswroteinhisEpistle(2:18):"Showmeyourfaithapartfromyourworks,andIbymyworkswillshowyoumyfaith."And,"Faithapartfromworksisdead."Faithmustbedemonstratedbywhatwedo,bywhatwesay,bywhatweare.Butthereverseisnotnecessarilytrue:workswithoutfaithisnotChristianactivity.

SoweareremindedtodaythatgreatandabidingloveforGodcomesaboutasweknowourselvestohavefallenshortoftheglorywhichshouldbeoursasGod'schildren,andasweknowofHisacceptanceandforgivenessforus,Hiserringchildren,evenbeforeweaskit.Then,knowingthatwearesetrightwithourHeavenlyFather,justified,wewillshowforthourfaithinwordanddeed.ToHimbepraiseandgloryevermore.

19th JUNE 2016FIFTHSUNDAYAFTERPENTECOSTYearC

Responsibility:CanonIanBarlow

"JesussaidNoonewhoputsahandtotheploughandlooksbackisfitforthekingdomofGod."(v.62)

Oneofthegreatpleasuresofdrivingthroughthecountrysideatthistimeoftheyearistoseethoselongstraightlinesoftheyoungcropscomingthrough,orperhapsthegracefulsweepingcurvesastheploughingandseedingfollowsthecontoursofthehills.Thatcannotbeachievediftheoperatorofthetractorkeepslookingbackoverhisshoulder‐hehastokeephiseyesfixedonwhereheisgoing.ItwasthesameinourLord'sday,evenwithaone‐furrowploughdrawnbyanoxoranass.Nodoubtthefarmerofthosetimeshadthesamedesiretoproducegoodstraightfurrows,asdoeshiscounterparttoday. YouandIhavemadeadecisiontofollowChrist.PerhapsthepromisewasfirstmadeonyourbehalfatyourBaptism,oryoumighthavemadeitforyourselfifyouwerebaptizedasanadult.ThesearethewordsusedintheoldPrayerBookof1662:"Idemandtherefore"saidthepriest,"dostthou,inthenameofthischild,renouncethedevilandallhisworks,thevainpompandgloryoftheworld,withallcovetousdesiresofthesame,andthesinfuldesiresoftheflesh,sothatthouwiltnotfollownorbeledbythem?""Ido"."DostthouinthenameofthischildprofesstheChristianFaith?""Ido"."DostthouinthenameofthischildpromiseobediencetoGod'sholywillandcommandments?""Ido".Thepromisesmadebyanadultwerejustthesame,butofcourseleavingout"inthenameofthischild".

There‐wordinginthenewPrayerBooks‐bothA.A.P.B.andA.P.B.A.‐isequallyspecific.Iquotefromthelatter,APrayerBookforAustralia:"ChildrenarebaptizedinresponsetoGod'sall‐embracinglove.Parentsandgodparentswhohaverespondedtothatlovecomenowtobringthischildforbaptism.BeforethiscongregationtheymustexpresstheirowntrustandcommitmenttothepromisesofGod,andtheirintentiontobringupthischildinthefaithandpracticeoftheChurch.InduetimethischildshouldmakehisownresponsetoGod,andbepreparedforconfirmation.""BeforeGodandthiscongregation,youmustaffirmthatyouturntoChristandrejectallthatisevil:DoyouturntoChrist?""IturntoChrist"."Doyourepentofyoursins"Irepentofmysins"."Doyourejectselfishliving,andallthatisfalseandunjust?""Irejectthemall"."DoyourenounceSatanandallevil?""Irenounceallthatisevil."Andsimilaradjustmentsaremadeforadultbaptismasintheolderservices.

Thepromisesdidnotstopthere.Whenwewereolder‐andsometimesmucholder‐wetookonourselvesthepromisesmadeonourbehalfasinfants,orconfirmedthemifwehadbeenbaptizedasanadult."Doyouhere,inthepresenceofGod,andofthiscongregation,renewthesolemnpromiseandvowthatwasmadeinyournameatyourbaptism;ratifyingandconfirmingthesameinyourownperson,andacknowledgingyourselftobeboundtobelieve,andtodo,allthosethings,whichyourgodfathersandgodmothersthenundertookforyou?""Ido."Andwithoutgoingthroughitallagain,themodernPrayerBookshavetheconfirmeesrenewtheirvowsinasimilarway.ThatwaswhenweformallyandpubliclyputourhandtotheChristianplough. Wearetemptedattimestolookback‐perhapstoadmirewhatagoodjobwe'vebeendoingalltheseyears;perhapsabitwistfullybecausetheChristianlifedemandscertainstandardsandrestrictionswithoutwhichlifemightappeartobelesslimiting,evenwemightthink,freer.Thefurrowweploughatsuchtimesbecomesratherwobbly,andifwetakeourhandofftheploughaltogether,ourlifebecomesarealshambles.Theparablebreaksdownabitthere.Wearenotabletore‐ploughthatbitofourlife,asafarmermightstraightenouthisfield,butwecanwithGod'shelp,getourlivesonlineagain.

Intoday'sextractfromSt.Luke'sGospel,Jesusbrieflytellsuswhatisexpectedofthepersonwhowouldbehisdisciple,whoseekstobelongtotheKingdomofHeaven.Hemakesfourpoints,andtheyapplytoouroftenslowandarduousapprenticeship.JamesandJohnbecameveryangryandaggressiveattheinsultingbehaviourofthepeopleofthatSamaritanvillage.WecanreadilyunderstandtheirrejectionofJesus‐afterall,theJewshadrejectedtheSamaritansoverreligiousdifferences,andthebitterfeudhadbeengoingonforyears.Naturallytheywantednothingtodowiththisgroup,particularlyiftheyhadheardthatJesuswassomekindofJewishprophet.ItwasJamesandJohnwhocoppedtherebuke.OurLord'swaywassimplytoignoretheunpleasantnessandgoontoanothervillage.Wedon'thavetodefendGod,andactunkindlyorvindictivelytowardsthosewhodefameHimorignoreHimoractagainstHiswill.Wemighttrytosetsuchpeopleright,butitmustbeinakindly,gentleway.Aggressiononlycausesaggression.Thentherewerethethreewould‐bedisciples.TothefirstJesuspointedouttheneedfortotalcommitment.PerhapsthemansawonlythegloryofaccompanyingJesus.RatherlikeseeingtheChristianlifeentirelyasgoingtochurchonconvenientSundaysandcontributingafewleftoverdollars fromthepaypacket.Thereaslittlerealcommitment,littlerealsacrifice.Secure.Comfortable.Jesuschallengedhim,asHedoesus,toacontinuing,developing,expandingprocessoftransformation.Jesusseemstohavebeenabittoughonthesecondchap,whoonlywantedtoseetohisfather'sfuneralbeforehefollowed.ForaJewtheburialofone'sparentswasasupremedutyaswellasafilialactoflove.Itisnotclearwhetherthemanmeantthathisfatherwasalreadydeadandawaitingimmediateburial,or,andthisisprobablymorelikely,hemeant:"Icannotleavehomewhilemyfatherisalive;waituntilIamfreefrommydutytohim."Jesus’callisimmediateandHedemandspriorityifwearetofollowHim.WhenJesussaid“Letthedeadburytheirowndead,”Hewasreallysaying,‘Letthespirituallydeadbedistractedbyworldlyconcerns;thereismoreimportantworkforyoutodo.”Hewasnotsayingthatweshouldignorefamilyobligations;ratherHewassayingthattruediscipleshipmeansenduringtotheend,andthateveryotherconsiderationtakessecondplace.ThethirdmanwhowantedtofollowJesuswishedfirsttosaygoodbyetohisfamily.Again,theurgencyanddemandsofdiscipleshiparemadeplain.Again,Jesussoundsabitroughonthepoorfellow.Becomingadiscipleisnotasentimentalaction,notsomethingtobeacteduponbyimpulse,withoutbeingawareoftheresponsibilitiesinvolved.Thismanwouldhavehaddividedloyalties,andwouldalwaysbelookingbackwistfully.Atruedisciplekeepslookingforward,totheKingdomofHeaven,withoutlookingbackatthelifeheleftbehind. Amen

24th June 2016THEBIRTHOFJOHNTHEBAPTISTYear C

Responsibility:CanonIan Barlow

TherewasapriestcalledZacharias,whosewifeElizabethwasacousinoftheBlessedVirginMary.SixmonthsbeforetheangelGabrielappearedtoMary(theeventwecommemorateastheFestivaloftheAnnunciation,on25thMarch),heappearedtoZachariasintheTempleatJerusalem,andtoldhimthathisprayershadbeenansweredandthatheandElizabethwouldhaveason,whosenameshouldbeJohn,andwhowould"goonbeforetheLordinthespiritandpowerofElijah.....tomakereadyapeoplepreparedfortheLord."(Luke1:17)Zachariasdoubted:"Iamanoldmanandmywifeiswellalonginyears.'Hewasliterallystruckdumb:theangeltoldhimhewouldnotbeabletospeakuntilthechildwasborn.AfterthechildwasbornandnamedJohn,Zacharias'voicereturned,andhebrokeoutintothatpoemofpraisewhichisappointedforuseatMorningPrayer: "BlessedbetheLordGodofIsrael,forhehasvisitedandredeemedhispeople;andhasraised upforusamightySaviour.‐"

SixmonthslaterJesuswasborn.JohngrewupintheknowledgethathisappointedtaskwastopreparethewayfortheministryofJesus,St.LukeinhisGospelrecordswhenallthishappened.InthefifteenthyearofthereignofTiberiusCaesar,“ “whenPontiusPilatewasgovernorofJudea,HerodtetrarchofGalilee,hisbrotherPhiliptetrachofIturea,andTrachonitis,andLysaniasTetrachofAbilene,andduringthepriesthoodofAnnasandCaiaphas.AtthattimeJohnbeganhispreachinginthecountryaroundtheJordan,callingpeopletoabaptismofrepentancefortheforgivenessofsins.Johnmusthavebeenanalarmingsight,dressedincamel'shairclothingheldbyaleatherbelt.Nodoubthishairwasuncut,andwe'retoldhedinedonlocustsandwildhoney.Andhismessagewasprettypowerfulstuff.HeaddressedthePhariseesandSadduceeswhocameouttohearhimas"abroodofvipers"‐verymuchinthestyleoftheoldprophets,whosetraditionhadbythendiedout.

Therewerethosewhoheardandgotthemessage."Whatshouldwedothen?"Johntoldthosewhowerefortunatetosharewiththosewhowerenotaswelloff.Taxcollectors,traditionallycheats,alsoasked"Whatshallwedo?"andweretoldnottocollectanymorethantheyhadto.Andsoldiersalsoasked"Whatshallwedo?"andweretold'Don'textortmoneyanddon'taccusepeoplefalsely‐becontentwithyourpay."ThosewhoacceptedhisteachinghebaptizedintheRiverJordan,tosignifythattheirsinswerewashedaway.SohegainedhisnicknameofTheBaptizer.

WhentheauthoritieswantedtoknowwhoJohnwas,hequotedtothemwordsoftheprophetIsaiah"Iamthevoiceofonecallinginthedesert:"MakestraightthewayfortheLord."(Isaiah40:3)Iwonderifheknewhowprophetichiswordswere.CertainlyitwaswithsomesurpriseandreluctancethatheobeyedJesus'insistencethatJohnbaptizehim.Hesaid:"Ineedtobebaptizedbyyou,anddoyoucometome?"AfterwardsJohngavethistestimony:"IsawtheSpiritcomedownfromheavenasadoveandremainonhim.Iwouldnothaveknownhim,exceptthattheonewhosentmetobaptizewithwatertoldme:ThemanonwhomyouseetheSpiritcomedownishewhowillbaptizewiththeHolySpirit.IhaveseenandItestifythatthisistheSonofGod."(John1:32‐34)Thefollowingday,JohnpointedoutJesustotwoofhisowndisciplesas"TheLambofGod"FromthattimeJesuscommencedhisownministry,forwhichJohnhadpreparedtheway.Weseemtohavestrayedfromthethemeoftoday'scelebration,whichistheNativityorBirthofJohntheBaptist.Thatwasdealtwithintheopeningwordsofthisaddress.ButJohnplayedsuchabigpartintheintroductionofJesus'ministrythatweshouldlookathimandhearhismessage.Actuallywedogetasecondchancetoconsiderhim,whentheChurchcommemorateshisdeath,onAugust29th‐butthatdoesn'tfallonaSundayveryofteneither.FearlessJohncriticizedHerod'smarriagewithhisbrother'swife,andhadbeenimprisonedforhisoutspokenness.AfterawhileJohnbegantodoubtwhetherJesuswasindeedtheSaviourhe'dbeenproclaiming.SohesenttwoofhisfollowerstoaskJesusdirectly.Jesusreplied:"GobackandreporttoJohnwhatyouhaveseenandheard‐theblindreceivesight;thelamewalk;thosewhohaveleprosyarecured;thedeafhear;andthegoodnewsispreachedtothepoor.Blessedisthemanwhodoesnotfallawayonaccountofme."(Luke7:18‐23) JesustooktheopportunitytoexpresshisfrustrationwiththosewhowouldnotaccepteitherhisorJohn'smessage."JohntheBaptistcameneithereatingbreadnordrinkingwine,andyousayHehasademon.TheSonofMancameeatinganddrinking,andyousay‘Hereisagluttonandadrunkard,afriendoftaxcollectorsandsinners."(Luke7:33,34)

HerodwouldreallyhavepreferredtoexecuteJohnimmediatelybecauseofhiscriticismofHerodandHerodias'incestuousrelationship,buthewasn'tbraveenoughtorisktheangerofthepeople,whosawJohnasaprophet.Butatacelebrationpartyforhisbirthday,Herodias'daughterSalomesoentrancedHerodwithherdancingthathepromisedheranythingshewanted.Hermother,whohadnotforgottenJohn'scriticism,putheruptoaskingforJohn'sheadonaplate.Herodcouldnotbackdowninfrontofhisguests,andsoJohnwasbeheaded.

John'sprimaryimportanceliesinhisforeshadowingofJesusastheMessiah;hisrecognitionofJesusatHisbaptism;andhisunderstandingthathisministryneededtodecreaseinorderthattheministryofJesusshouldflourish.BythetimeLukewrotehisGospelandtheActsoftheApostles,theplaceofJohntheBaptistinthehistoryofGod'srelationshipwithhispeoplewasestablished.Lukeinchapter13ofActsclearlyrecordsJohn'splaceinthehistoryofJesus,andbythattimethestoriesofamiraculousbirth,hadfoundtheirwayintoChristiantradition‐angels,anagedmother,adumbstruckfather,auniquename,allweresignstotheearlyChristiansofthegraceofGod,presentinJohnevenbeforehisbirth.SowecelebrateGod'sgracethroughourknowledgeofJohn'sbirth,andhissubsequentlifestory.

TheCollectfortodaysumsupbestwhyweregardJohnasasaint.Heisamodelforustofollow.Wearetoheedhisteachingaboutrepentance.HelivedaholylifedevotedtoGod,faithfulandhumbleinhisministry,andhespokethetruthfearlessly,readytofaceimprisonmentandevenmartyrdomforthesakeofspeakingoutagainstcorruptionandwickedness.

Morethanallthat,however,wecelebratehisrecognitionofJesusandwhathewastobecome.JohntheBaptistpointedthewaytoChrist:"BeholdtheLambofGod!"WecannotconvertpeopletoChrist,foritistheHolySpiritworkinginpeoplewhodoesthat.Butwe,likeJohncanpointthewaybyourownexample,byencouragingthemtorepentofpastmistakes,togettoknowJesus,hearhiswordsandseehispower.Todayweareremindedofhumbleself‐denyingministrywhichpointsthewaytoJesus. Amen