Take a walk down the street, and chaos swirls around you. Whether looking at the two mass shootings this week, the highly contentious political environment or the war spread throughout our planet, what the world needs right now are peacemakers. During Advent, Peace resonates in our hearts as we reflect on the coming Prince of Peace. In the same way, John prepared the world for Christ’s coming, so must we proclaim peace at every opportunity. Although our current state of affairs would guide us toward participation in the increasing rancor, Jesus’ coming invites us to cool tensions and open up doors of reconciliation and peace. Mark invites us to the Gospel message by starting with the story of how John the Baptist prepared the way of Peace and invites us to participate in the prophecy today.
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ” John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mk 1:1–8.
John the Baptist embraced his divine mission, comprehending the imperative to pave the way for the Lord. Similarly, each of us is responsible for ready our communities for the presence of Jesus. He focused on imparting the message of repentance and the Gospel of Jesus, emphasizing the importance of preparing communities for God’s purpose while steering clear of worldly distractions. He ardently preached repentance and the Gospel to guide communities toward aligning with God’s plan. His commitment ensures people recognize the significance of turning away worldly concerns and embracing the Gospel’s transformative power. He sought to unveil Jesus’ true identity and discouraged distractions that could divert attention from his essential message.
John, the Baptist’s singular dedication to the divine mission, underscores the importance of prioritizing the gospel over superficial displays and ostentatious preachers. Our communities, he believed, require the pure presence of the Gospel rather than being swayed by flashy presentations or charismatic leaders. The calling resonates with us today, urging us to share the transformative message of the gospel, guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
As custodians of the gospel, we are tasked with illuminating the path to Jesus, infusing our communities with the peace that comes from embracing the Gospel message. John the Baptist’s legacy encourages us to be peacemakers, spreading the news of the imminent arrival of the King and preparing our communities for the transformative power of God’s purpose.
Horizon Community Church 