A Word from John the Baptist

Today I write to you from Arizona where the air's dry and warm.  Reading the Gospels for a New Testament survey class at our church, encouraged me to look at the times in which I live through the times into which Jesus came.

Out in the desert,  where sand blows and sun blisters, it's not hard from me to imagine Biblical times, especially if I turn my back to the urban sprawl and towards the open desert and mountains.

In the gospels John the Baptist comes on like a Rock star.  He dressed, ate and lived like a wild man, followed by passionate groupies, curious folks and  serious critics.

People may have gotten confused over who he was, some thinking Messiah, others Elijah, but John never lost sight of his true identity.   He was to prepare the way for the One, the Lamb of God, Jesus.

How?

Choosing to tell and live the Truth, no matter the consequences.

Gwendolyn Carr's poem weighs on me in these times.

JOHN THE BAPTIST (c)

Out on the plain

where the wind scours clean

and the unvarnished sun

beats hot-a wildman came,

rough as sand, simple as bread,

and fearless.

And he spoke hard words

that the silence heard,

and many of good intent,

but the closed ear,

and the shut heart,

recoil at the word "repent".(c)