[Propertalk] Fwd: [propertalk.topic] Tomorrow's sermon

[Joe Parrish]

Forwarded:
Dear Friends,
Sunday’s sermon is entitled “John the Baptist” and deals with the
ospel (Matthew 3:1-12).  Here it is:
This morning we heard about one of the strangest characters in the
ible- John the Baptist.  He was the last of the Old Covenant prophets
nd had the job of preparing the way for Jesus.  Even his beginnings
ere unusual.  John’s parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah, were childless
nd way too old to have children.  Elizabeth was Mary’s cousin and
echariah was a priest in the temple.  One day, Zechariah was doing
is job in the temple when the angel Gabriel appeared and told him
hat he and his wife would have a baby, who was to be named John.
echariah doubted the angel, so he was struck dumb.  Shortly after
his incident and against all odds, Elizabeth became pregnant.  It’s
bvious that Zechariah and Elizabeth were accepting, compassionate
eople because after the Virgin Mary became pregnant, she spent some
ime with them- probably to gain courage to face everyone when she
egan to “show.”  Well, in due time the child promised to Zechariah
nd Elizabeth was born; and when he was circumcised and presented in
he temple, everyone was about to name him “Zechariah” after his
ather.  It was the custom of the day to name children after a
elative.  Zechariah still could not speak, so he communicated by
riting, “His name is John.”  Immediately, Zechariah’s speech
mpediment vanished.  Those watching these happenings wondered what
ind of a man this “John” would turn out to be.
They were wise to wonder, because this “John”, actually “John the
aptist” was truly unusual- many must have wondered about his sanity.
hile others lived in comfortable houses, he lived in the desert.
hile others dressed fashionably (or at least comfortably), he wore an
tchy camel skin.  While others ate fish and bread and occasionally
ome meat, he ate what he could find- usually locusts and wild honey.
e spent his time baptizing people in the Jordan River, giving them a
econd chance to enter the Promised Land following God’s way.  As you
ecall, Jesus (John’s second cousin) was baptized by John.  When he
asn’t baptizing, he was preaching.  He encouraged the common people
o repent and return to God, but he infuriated those in power by
alling them “snakes”- not a very good way to get ahead.  When King
erod married his sister-in-law, John condemned the whole affair.
eedless to say, he had many enemies in high places.  Herod was so
ngry with John’s meddling that he threw him in prison.  While John
as there he must have experienced a period of doubt, because he sent
ome of his followers to ask Jesus if he was really the Messiah, or
as he going through all of this imprisonment for nothing.  Jesus sent
hem back with the message that the deaf hear, the blind see, the lame
alk, and the poor have the good news preached to them- in other
ords- the Jubilee message.
ne of John’s most dangerous enemies was Herodias, the sister-in-law
hom King Herod married.  One day, Herod threw a party.  After all the
en at the party were drunk, Salome (daughter of Herodias) really
urned them on with her dancing.  Herod was so impressed that he
romised her anything she wanted, even half of his kingdom.  Salome
sked her mother what she should request, and the answer came back
learly: “Ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”  Since
erod didn’t want to look like a fool in front of his friends by going
ack on his word, that’s just what happened.
ut of the strange life of one of God’s greatest prophets, what’s the
essage for us?  How can this help us get ready for the birth of Jesus
n a few weeks?  Here are four thoughts:
)	John didn’t follow the crowd and neither should we.  Don’t worry
hat everyone expects you to do to prepare for the holiday.  In all
our rushing around, don’t forget Jesus.
)	As busy as you are this year, don’t miss Jesus when he comes to
ou.  How is this possible?  Look, if John the Baptist walked in here
ight now, I’m here to tell you that we’d probably get a little
ervous because (to put it mildly) he’d look different.  Actually,
e’d probably wonder if we had a crazy man in here!  If we didn’t take
im seriously, we would have missed one of the holiest people in the
ible.  Remember, Jesus comes to us in other people.  (“Whatever you
o to the least of these, my sisters or brothers, you do to me.”)
on’t diminish anyone just because of how he looks or talks or what
he wears.
)	If you meet people who aren’t quite sure about this “Jesus event,”
e kind.  Remember, even John had his doubts when times were hard and
e was in prison.
)	Finally- remember who we’re preparing for.  Yes, I know that Jesus
as born a precious little baby in a manger made of hay; but he didn’t
tay that way.  He grew up to be a wonderful, powerful man who
uffered, died, and rose for our sins.  At ChristMass time, a church
hat will go nameless often has one of those cute sayings on the sign
n front.  It says: “Xmas is Christmas without Christ.  Don’t “X” Him
ut!”  I’m sure you’ve heard people talk like that- saying it is
nchristian to substitute the “X” for the “Christ” in Christmas.  My
isters and brothers, they’re well-meaning, but very wrong.  The “X”
s the Greek letter Chi, for “Christ.”  That “X” is also the way you
ake a Roman cross, so “X” stands for a cross.  “Xmas” is a way of
aying “Mass for the Holy One who died on the cross.” “Xmas” reminds
s that the baby who was born at ChristMass grew up to be the man who
ied on the cross for our salvation.  “XMass” or “CrossMass” reminds
s, as we prepare for the birth of our Savior, to take up our own
ross and follow Him.  Some years ago, a friend gave me this statue of
anta kneeling at the manger.  That’s the Christian priority.
emember that this is Jesus’ birthday.  We’re preparing for him.  The
anta component is fun, but the true ChristMass is Jesus and his
irth.
For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updated African-American
isdom statements are posted on our NEW PARISH WEB SITE. The address
s: http://www.stpaulsepisag.com .
Blessed preaching.
udy Boli
t. Paul's Episcopal Church
aginaw, Michigan
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