The Proclamation of John the Baptist - Latitia Felus

Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Read: Matthew 3:1-6
 
The Proclamation of John the Baptist 

While John was a baby in his mother Elizabeth’s womb, Mary, pregnant with Jesus came to visit.  Elizabeth tells Mary, ‘For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.’ (Luke 1:44). That child is John the Baptist.
 
We meet John the man in Matt 3:1-6, proclaiming the Lord will arrive in Judea and all should prepare themselves by repenting from their sinful ways.
 
Wait, John lived in the wilderness, consumed locust and wild honey, wearing clothes made of camel hair with a leather belt around his waist.  Would this not cause one to pause, to see such a strangely dressed man who lives in the wilderness?  And yet the scripture says “Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins.”
What is it that draws the people to John? Why him?
 
I believe the answer began in Elizabeth’s womb, when John as an infant jumped in his mother’s womb.  John believed from the beginning of his life that Mary was pregnant with the Messiah, Jesus, and that one day we would be reconciled with God.  So, why the people’s belief in John?  I believe it was due to his countenance and not his clothing.  Those that came and heard the “wilderness John” proclaim Jesus’ arrival to Judea could feel John’s belief in his words and his simplicity of living.  John needed only what would sustain him to wait on the Lord while being an Active disciple of the Good News!
 
Let us pray, in this season of Advent, we come thanking you for the Good News heard from the wilderness for all to hear.  We thank you for the joy that makes us jump at the sound of your name Jesus.  We are traveling through times of great temptation and inhumanity and yet we hear the yet still voice within us ‘‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.”  And we yield to your ways.  Pour into us an extra portion of you during this season as we actively pursue your ways.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen
 
Joyful
Latitia Felus
Certified Lay Minister