Wednesday, December 15

Isaiah 9:8-17

Psalms 49, 53, and 119:49-72

2 Peter 2:1-10a

Mark 1:1-8

Mark 1:2-8

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
"See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.'"

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

And now for something completely different...

This catchphrase, so aptly used to introduce the next bizarre and hilarious segment on Monty Python's Flying Circus, might also be used to introduce John the Baptizer.

John was, well, rather different. He was wild in appearance and habit. He was preaching and baptizing -- not in the Temple, not even in Jerusalem -- but in the wilderness. He was proclaiming an old message with new urgency and drawing people by the thousands. The people had been waiting and watching for something different. John was quick to make this clear. "No! You must prepare for something completely different!"

Mark lets us know that John is indeed part of God's plan and the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy -- the voice crying out in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord, the Messiah, the Savior. Prepare the way for something completely different.

So as we continue through Advent, preparing to celebrate the joyous birth and welcome Emmanuel, let's remember that God has a plan for us -- and it is likely something completely different.

Elizabeth Puckett