Advent XV (The Third Week)

The one person no one figured to see on the Third Sunday of Advent is John the Baptist.  Already he has appeared on the drama unfolding in this holy season.  Last Sunday he took center stage modeling his camel hair clothing, breathing his locust breath all over us, repulsing us with him beard matted with honey, and speaking words we basically felt to be offensive.  All he talked about was our need to repent while we were looking for the comforting story of two young parents giving birth to a baby.  No one really wants to see him again this Sunday, but if the lectionary cycle is allowed to guide the church, there he is once again.   

We cannot help but wonder what those men of long centuries ago were thinking when they organized these Scripture lessons.  We cannot help but wonder why John continues to stand in the spotlight when the Star of Bethlehem is nearly ready to shine in the heavens.  One very obvious answer is that John the Baptist is as much a part of the story written by the Sovereign God of the Universe as were the shepherds, the men from the east, or the innkeeper.  He it the one who could simply be known as the Voice instead of the Baptizer.  His Voice was the prophesied voice of God.  

The eleventh chapter of Matthew which contains the gospel lesson for the Third Sunday of Advent enables us to know John the Baptist through the eyes of Jesus.  According to Jesus this man of the wilderness was more than a prophet.  He was God's messenger.  He is "Elijah who is to come."  (Matthew 11:7-14).  John has a place on the stage.  He is a necessary part of the story that God through the Holy Spirit is telling us.  As Jesus said, "Let anyone with ears listen!"  Matthew (11:15)