6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
I've gotten out of the habit of titling things (sermons, papers, devotions) since it's not often required of me, but it strikes me that I'd call this one "Details." Mark's Gospel is the fastest and most urgently written (stylistically) of the four that we have in our canon, and yet the writer chooses to include what John the baptizer wore, and what he ate. It's just one line, but at the same time, there's a lot of information that he doesn't include, that we might otherwise think important to the story.
However, since we know these details about Jesus' cousin, I have to say that they have always sort of endeared John to me. These must have been details of note even for the time, let alone for today. And yet, he is the one in the river with Jesus. John is the one who heralds the way for Jesus. John is the one who leaps in his mother's womb when Mary arrives to see Elizabeth. John is the one who stands up to Herod and speaks a word of truth. John points to Jesus, even if he wasn't the coolest looking guy on the block.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Join together for Holden Evening Prayer this Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm at All Saints.
No comments:
Post a Comment