Special Sunday Edition
Ethan Barton, Pastoral Resident, Tallowood Baptist Church
In a sense, John the Baptist is the last character of the Old Testament. The purpose of the Old Testament was to highlight how desperately we need Jesus, and look ahead toward Jesus with anticipation. John is doing just the same—but as he prepares the people for Jesus’ coming, his message is more urgent. The countdown is at zero. Jesus has finally come!
John’s urgent message was twofold: we must repent of sin, and Jesus forgives sin. But aren’t those two ideas at odds? Not so. In fact, they’re inseparably tied together! Jesus came to restore the relationship between God and mankind. Jesus ran after us with loving fervor by humbling himself to the point of death, even death on a cross, so that we may be declared righteous, washed white as snow. But active, thriving relationships are never just one-way. We also must run after him.
The crowds around John wondered what exactly that looks like. John answers with great examples of how to put repentance into practice. Take care of those in need. Deal honestly. Don’t idolize worldly possessions. Don’t abuse your rank or power, but use it for the good of others. John has an answer for every kind of person that comes to him. I wonder what his answer would be to 21st-century American churchgoers? I wonder what his answers would be to each of us individually?
The urgency for repentance hasn’t worn off with time. It doesn’t wear off as we grow older. John’s news is good news: the Christ has come to bring us salvation! Our sins are forgiven! What then should we do? Repent. Run far away from sin, and run hard toward Jesus who has already been running hard toward us.
