Second Sunday in Advent

Second Sunday in Advent

Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2,8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8

Today we hear of John the Baptist’s message of preparation.  John told everyone that he was not the main event, but the opening act.  Nonetheless, people streamed to him to be baptized and forgiven.  Did they even hear him telling them about the one who is to come?

And what, exactly, were they seeking in coming?  What do we seek when we confess our sins?  What exactly does forgiveness do for us?

We’ve been so conditioned to think of our relation to God in terms of life after death that it may be hard to see this as John’s contemporaries did.  But if we reflect on what happens when we forgive and are forgiven, we can see why they came.

Forgiveness means a new start.  It’s that simple.  It doesn’t mean the past didn't happen.  It doesn't mean my past actions didn't matter, didn't affect me or others.  It means that the past is no longer running my life.  I’m free again to choose, to create a new future.  I’m free to follow.

This is the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ.

Jesus called a lot of people who did not follow.  Perhaps some of them were weighted down with the burdens of the past, burdens they would not lay down.  Perhaps some of them had quarreled with a disciple, and wouldn’t travel with that person.  Perhaps some of them had been disappointed by false Messiahs, and could no longer trust themselves to discern the truth of Jesus.  

Others were just daunted by the gaping abyss of freedom.  Like the Jews in Babylon who received Isaiah’s call, some turned away and chose to remain in exile.  They didn’t want to go through the wilderness.  Perhaps they hadn’t forgiven God for letting them be conquered.  

To all of those, and to us, John calls out: come, start afresh!  Yes, it will be hard work.  No, we don’t know what the future looks like, what the day of the Lord will bring.  But come!  Forgive, and be forgiven!  We have miracles to witness!  Come to the waters!