Sermon for Advent 2B
Judy
Dear Friends,
This Sunday’s sermon is entitled “John the Baptist” and deals with the Gospel (Mark 1: 1-11). Here it is:
This morning we heard about one of the strangest characters in the Bible- John the Baptist. He was the last of the Old Testament prophets and had the job of preparing the way for Jesus. Even his beginnings were unusual. John’s parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah, were childless and way too old to have children. Elizabeth was Mary’s cousin and Zechariah was a priest in the temple. One day, Zechariah was doing his job in the temple when the angel Gabriel appeared and told him that he and his wife would have a baby, who was to be named John. Zechariah doubted the angel, so he was struck dumb. Shortly after this incident and against all odds, Elizabeth became pregnant. It’s obvious that Zechariah and Elizabeth were accepting, compassionate people because after the Virgin Mary became pregnant, she spent some time with them- probably to gain courage to face everyone when she began to “show.” Well, in due time the child promised to Zechariah and Elizabeth was born; and when he was circumcised and presented in the temple, everyone was about to name him “Zechariah” after his father. It was the custom of the day to name children after a relative. Zechariah still could not speak, so he communicated by writing, “His name is John.” Immediately, Zechariah’s speech impediment vanished. Those watching these happenings wondered what kind of a man this “John” would turn out to be.
They were wise to wonder, because this “John”, actually “John the Baptist” was truly unusual- many must have wondered about his sanity. While others lived in comfortable houses, he lived in the desert. While others dressed fashionably (or at least comfortably), he wore an itchy camel skin. While others ate fish and bread and occasionally some meat, he ate what he could find- usually locusts and wild honey. He spent his time baptizing people in the Jordan River, giving them a second chance to enter the Promised Land following God’s way. As you recall, Jesus (John’s second cousin) was baptized by John. When he wasn’t baptizing, he was preaching. He encouraged the common people to repent and return to God, but he infuriated those in power by calling them “snakes”- not a very good way to get ahead. When King Herod married his sister-in-law, John condemned the whole affair. Needless to say, he had many enemies in high places. Herod was so angry with John’s meddling that he threw him in prison. While John was there he must have experienced a period of doubt, because he sent some of his followers to ask Jesus if he was really the Messiah, or was he going through all of this imprisonment for nothing. Jesus sent them back with the message that the deaf hear, the blind see, the lame walk, and the poor have the good news preached to them- in other words- the Jubilee message.
One of John’s most dangerous enemies was Herodias, the sister-in-law whom King Herod married. One day, Herod threw a party. After all the men at the party were drunk, Salome (daughter of Herodias) really turned them on with her dancing. Herod was so impressed that he promised her anything she wanted, even half of his kingdom. Salome asked her mother what she should request, and the answer came back clearly: “Ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” Since Herod didn’t want to look like a fool in front of his friends by going back on his word, that’s just what happened.
Out of the strange life of one of God’s greatest prophets, what’s the message for us? How can this help us get ready for the birth of Jesus in a few weeks? Here are four thoughts:
John didn’t follow the crowd and neither should we. Don’t worry what everyone expects you to do to prepare for the holiday. In all your rushing around, don’t forget Jesus.
As busy as you are this year, don’t miss Jesus when he comes to you. How is this possible? Look, if John the Baptist walked in here right now, I’m here to tell you that we’d probably get a little nervous because (to put it mildly) he’d look different. Actually, we’d probably wonder if we had a crazy man in here! If we didn’t take him seriously, we would have missed one of the holiest people in the Bible. Remember, Jesus comes to us in other people. (“Whatever you do to the least of these, my sisters or brothers, you do to me.”) Don’t diminish anyone just because of how he looks or talks or what she wears.
If you meet people who aren’t quite sure about this “Jesus event,” be kind. Remember, even John had his doubts when times were hard and he was in prison.
Finally- remember who we’re preparing for. Yes, I know that Jesus was born a precious little baby in a manger made of hay; but he didn’t stay that way. He grew up to be a wonderful, powerful man who suffered, died, and rose for our sins. One Advent, a church that will go nameless had one of those cute sayings on the sign in front. It says: “Xmas is Christmas without Christ. Don’t “X” Him out!” I’m sure you’ve heard people talk like that- saying it is unchristian to substitute the “X” for the “Christ” in Christmas. My sisters and brothers, they’re well-meaning, but very wrong. The “X” is the Greek letter Chi, for “Christ.” That “X” is also the way you make a Roman cross, so “X” stands for a cross. “Xmas” is a way of saying “Mass for the Holy One who died on the cross.” “Xmas” reminds us that the baby who was born at ChristMass grew up to be the man who died on the cross for our salvation. “XMass” or “CrossMass” reminds us, as we prepare for the birth of our Savior, to take up our own cross and follow Him. Some years ago, a friend gave me this statue of Santa kneeling at the manger. That’s the Christian priority. Remember that this is Jesus’ birthday. We’re preparing for him. The Santa component is fun, but the true ChristMass is Jesus and his birth.
For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updated African-American wisdom statements are posted on our parish’s NEW WEB SITE under “Sermons & Stuff”. The address is: http://www.stpaulsepisag.org .
Blessed preaching,
Judy Boli
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Saginaw, Michigan