You won't hear much about John the Baptist in the run up to Christmas. He doesn't feature on the Christmas cards, there aren't any inflatable figures in suburban gardens, no cute kids get to dress up as John the Baptist in the school nativity play. John the Baptist doesn't seem to fit with the Christmas spirit, his in your face message is not very politically correct and hardly in line with the season of goodwill and cheer. In fact he is a little bit like that annoying relative that you really hope won't be able to make it to lunch on Christmas day! He's always going on about the end of the world, he never dresses appropriately and he insists on eating a bizarre diet of locusts and wild honey.
However, nobody was more excited about Christmas than John the Baptist. He had been waiting his whole life for the coming of Jesus. Before he was even born he was marked out in his mother's womb for this job. For Luke it's essential that you meet John the Baptist before you meet Jesus. Luke tells us about the birth of John before he tells us about the birth of Jesus and before he tells us about the ministry of Jesus he tells us about the ministry of John.
Bible
During the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:"A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in,every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God's salvation." Luke 3:2-6
We know something incredible was about to happen when Luke wheels out one of the big time prophets such as Isaiah. The word of God had come to John, the years and years of silence were about to be broken. Luke is under no illusion how significant this event was. At the beginning of chapter 3 Luke gives a list of Roman rulers and governors to remind his readers that these are dark times for the people of God. They are not even ruled by their own leaders, their land is occupied by foreigners!
I think we need to remember how dark things were before Jesus came so we can see the brightness of the light that was entering the world. And the climax from Isaiah's prophecy is this verse 'All people will see God's salvation.' The Messiah was going to bring salvation, that is the heart of Christmas. Maybe we forget how dark the world was and how much we need a Saviour. This Saviour was about to be made visible, and he wasn't going to be a Saviour just for the people of Israel - he was the saviour for 'all people.' It's so easy to forget the incredible significance of Jesus' coming at Christmas.
Prayer
Lord Jesus give us that same sense of anticipation and wonder that John the Baptist must have felt knowing your coming was soon. Would our thoughts and purposes this Christmas be focused on waiting and preparing for you. Help us to see how much we need your light to enter our darkness. We thank you that you came not only to one people but for the whole world, give us the grace to share this message this Christmas. Amen
Steve
for
Kruger
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