Reflection by the Rev'd Dr. Deborah Broome

Message from a weirdo

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:‘ Prepare the way of the Lord;    make his paths straight.’ ”

Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore, bear fruit worthy of repentance, and do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Matthew 3:1-12

The world rushes toward Christmas, but Advent teaches us to wait – because anything truly good is worth waiting for.  We wait for Jesus: the child born in Bethlehem and the Christ who will come again.  Advent invites us to live now as people of hope and peace.  Only – a large part of Advent is John the Baptist, and he’s not what we expect, especially when people around us are busy getting ready for a holiday.  John appears out in the wilderness, dressed in camel’s hair, eating locusts, shouting, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near!”  If we met him walking down the street today we’d probably think, “Weirdo.”  Yet John’s message matters.

The wilderness is where people meet God – both in Scripture and in our own lives.  John’s voice cries out: “Prepare the way of the Lord.”  His call is about change: “Bear fruit worthy of repentance.”  Repentance isn’t just saying sorry; it’s much more turning around, thinking differently, living differently.  It’s about making space for God’s peace – peace that’s active, not passive.  Peace that works for justice, fairness, and compassion.  John invites us to change, to be part of something new, to be part of God’s kingdom that is coming.

John’s words are urgent. He warns against complacency: doing religious things based on heritage or status isn’t enough. “Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees.”  His imagery is stark: trees that don’t bear fruit are cut down, chaff is burned.  It’s not comfortable, but it is honest.  God’s kingdom is coming, and it calls for transformation.  That’s why John points to Jesus ands encourages us to get ready.

So what does that mean for us in Advent?  It means preparing – not just our homes and calendars, but our hearts and our lives.  It means asking: what needs to change in me so I can live as a sign of God’s peace?  Where do I need to turn around?  What fruit am I bearing?

Peace in the gospel sense isn’t simply the absence of conflict.  It’s the presence of justice, mercy, and right relationships.  That’s the kind of peace that takes courage, the courage to speak truth, to act with compassion, to live generously.  John’s call to repentance is an invitation to that kind of life.  His message is clear: prepare the way.  Make space for God’s peace.  Live as a community of hope.  May we do so – this Advent and always.