Gettin' wet

In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high
shall break upon us
to shine light on those
who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death
and to guide our feet
into the way of peace
— Luke 1:78-79
 

Luke likes to surprise us.  For instance, when we open up his gospel and begin to read — there’s no Jesus.  At the start of the story where we’d expect to hear about the birth of Jesus, or maybe even a list of ancestors of the Messiah (like we have in Matthew), Luke starts by telling someone else’s story.  And that someone is Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist.

             Like Jesus, John’s birth is also a miracle, his mother Elizabeth being barren, and presumably past the normal age for child-bearing (Luke 1:7).   Like Jesus, John’s birth is announced by the angel Gabriel, and the trusting in that message becomes a test of faith for his family.  Like Jesus, John is holy, and long before the Christian Pentecost, in fact, while he is still in Elizabeth’s womb, he is said to be “filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Like Jesus, John’s birth is an undeniable act of God, a sign of His bright presence shining into a dark world, and good news (Luke 1:19, 2:10) for us all.

        Maybe Luke wants us to see that the Gospel is not just a story about that famous Jesus guy.  John, Elizabeth, Zechariah and Mary all have roles to play before Jesus himself comes onstage.  Each of them are linked to Jesus, and in each of them we see God working.  The Bible really comes alive when we read it as the story of every member of the family of God, whether you’re a cousin or mother or aunt to Jesus, or perhaps, like most of us, His brothers or sisters. 

         One of the most beautiful parts of my weeks at seminary was morning prayer.  Every Monday morning the liturgy we sang from the Lutheran Book of Worship included the Benedictus, the song John’s father Zechariah sings when he names his son.  His song is a thank-you-God, not just for this beautiful baby boy, but for everything that God does for all His people.  The beauty of John’s story, and ours — is that we are all connected through Jesus to the stories of others.  We each have a role in the divine drama, the story of salvation that tells of a God who loves sinners and lights up our dark world to bring to each and every one the possibility of hope.

             Like John, you have a role to play in God’s story.  He was the Fore-runner, the messenger who prepared the way.  We are the ones who come after, but through the witness we make with our lives — deeds of justice and words of kindness, we help set the stage for Christ’s return.  Like John, your birth and presence in this world is a sign of hope for all.  The God who made you made you to share his love.  Like John, you too are a messenger with good news to get out…  God has brought forgiveness and restoration into our lives; God has brought us a Savior!

           During these wet weeks of Summer, we are more likely than not to get drenched a time or two.  It may happen on your way home from the store or on your way to work.  It’s not just the flowers or the grass that need the rain.  When I get wet I think of John the Baptist.  I think of the men, women and children who walked for miles to see him by the Jordan River.  I think about the way he challenged them, dared them to leave their sins behind and go down into that dark water.  I think about them going down, letting the water swallow them up, drowning their past mistakes and mis-steps, then  coming up thoroughly drenched, wide-eyed in the chill desert breeze but washed clean and alive to every breath, alert to every sensation, and with every nerve fiber pulsing with the awareness that the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.

          Child of God, brother or sister of Jesus — I have a few questions for you: Where do you insert YOUR name into the story of salvation?  How are you giving and receiving God’s grace these days?  What’s our Heavenly Father up to in your heart?  Who have you shared the love of Jesus with today?  And what might God possibly have planned for you tomorrow?  Remember your baptism, and don’t be afraid to get a little wet this Summer!

Peace,

Pastor Scott