Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13 and Matthew 3:1-12

I’ve never been much for being hollered at! We had very few ministers in our small town UMC who were given to shouting or calling the congregation a “brood of vipers!” Being yelled at by a coach or even parents was one thing, but the preachers I knew were not that way…for the most part. Even one of the Baptist preachers just across from our Methodist church was not much of a shouter. His name was literally “Bro Love.” A very warm and caring pastor for my Baptist friends. Not much of a shouter. But, here and yon in our community churches…there were shouters!

So, we do have in Matthew 3 John the Baptist, a fairly stern prophet who minces no words about the locals! But our other prophet, Isaiah, in chapter 11 seems to quietly point to a coming peaceable kingdom led by a child. Even animals, predators and prey, will get along! And Paul in Romans goes on about being in “harmony” with one another and then about “peace and joy.”

We might ask, “Does John the Baptist shouting in the wilderness have any peace within himself or does he even expect peace in God’s coming reign as King?” Lots of upheaval to say the least?! Looks like a lot of finger pointing for those within range!

One way to address this tension between high drama against sinners and a peaceable kingdom about to appear is to realize the Bible reflects virtually every human emotion and feeling, every depth and height of human experience. What do WE feel and experience when the whole range of the Word of God comes to us on any given day and hour?

This Sunday we will explore John’s prophetic voice as well as strive to see how John might have also had a peace about him even as he draws close to execution. We’ll see what comes of this prayerful effort during this Sunday’s worship on the Second Sunday of Advent. Peace and joy to all you (us) sinners…..and dearly beloveds of Jesus Christ!

Pastor Barry