Bless us, O God, in this holy season, in which our hearts seek your help and healing; and so purify us by your discipline that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Voice in the Wilderness
Reflection on Matthew 3:1-12
I am a singer who has performed George Frideric Handel’s oratorio Messiah many, many times over the past 30 or so years. The first time I did it was in high school as a freshman. As a relative novice to performing in a choral ensemble, I was more concerned back then with trying to figure out how to read music and to sing well, not considering at the time the meaning of the words I was singing. By the time I got to concert week, that was when I started to gain an appreciation of the words (which were all from Scripture). The tenor, in his opening recitative, sang the words of Isaiah: “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” When I heard Isaiah’s words in the setting of that glorious music, the meaning of that passage became crystal clear. That proclamation would change the course of history, and there was no turning back to the past.
John the Baptist was that “voice in the wilderness”. He prepared the way for Jesus.
I can only imagine what John’s emotions were as he performed baptisms along the banks of the river Jordan. He knew the coming of the Messiah was very, very near. He knew the prophecy that Isaiah made many years before and was not afraid to boldly proclaim it, even in front of the Pharisees and Sadducees. And he also knew that we as sinners need to repent of our sins so that we can be ready for the One who makes all things new.
John the Baptist and the musical Godspell have a connection…preaching repentance. I am reminded of some lyrics that came to me from Godspell: “Turn back, o man, forswear thy foolish ways.” That’s a worthy goal to strive for this Lenten season.
Steve Murphy
St. Boniface, Mequon, WI
1 comment:
As I read this post, I wondered how many times are we -- both individually and as the church -- engaged in the sorts of ministry reminiscent of John the Baptist (pointing our efforts and using our words to witness to what God will be doing next)?
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