As we hear John the Baptist quoting Isaiah, we know Isaiah’s message is being carried down through the ages! 

The picture of John is clear – and what a sight he must have been, with his coat of camel’s hair held together simply with a leather belt.  I see his wild-looking long hair and the fiery determination in his eyes.  The image seems to say – what you look like doesn’t matter!  It’s who you are:  are you real?  are you authentic?  do your words reach my heart?  is there truth in what you say?

I suspect the crowd really resonated with John’s denunciation of the Pharisees and Sadducees (much as some crowds in Iraq resonate with the denunciation of the U.S. occupation).  The crowds then may have been sick and tired of being ‘lorded over,’ and pressured to follow the infinitesimal laws those religious leaders enforced day after day.

John’s message is harsh and radical.  He pulls no punches: “every tree that fails to produce good fruit will be cut down – and thrown into the fire!”  There will be no hedging – no alibis – no second chances. He says we must confess our sins, do our best, use our gifts and talents in living up to the high standards set by God!

I believe that John is proclaiming the Truth for his day just as Isaiah did.  It is the same Truth that is soon to be modeled by ‘the One who is to come’ – the One who keeps coming – to show us and tell us who we are – and whose we are – and how we are to be.

An Israeli soldier discovered his real self one day when he came face to face with an armed Arab on a lonely stretch of road.  They were just ten feet apart, pointing their guns at each other.  But, he discovered he could not shoot.  So he asked,

“Do you have a family?”

“Yes,” the Arab replied. 

How could he shoot now?  He couldn’t kill a father.  Amazingly, the Arab then asked the same question – and received the same answer. 

They both put down their guns and walked away

Elaine Weidemann

All contents copyright 2003 by the Wisconsin Chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action. Permission is granted to United Methodist congregations, individuals and groups to reproduce and distribute this devotional without charge. All other use requires the advance permission of the editor.