January 2

1 John 2:22-29; Psalm 98:1-5; John 1:19-28

"Who are you?"  The people who came to John weren't asking his name, if by name we mean "John." They are asking, what are you?  What part do you play in the world?  And behind that they're asking, should we listen to you?  Are you a problem, or the answer to our prayers?  As they ask about baptism we hear, Who do you think you are, doing this?  What should we make of you?

John gives an answer like a Zen koan: "I am a voice crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the LORD."  We are not to look for the source of the voice, but to listen to what it says.  But of course, usually when we hear a cryptic message we want to know about the messenger.  Why should I listen to this one?  What credentials or authority do they have for this message?  That's a reasonable request.  When we're listening for God, however, reason can be a stumbling block.    I'm waiting for credentials and missing God's call.  In fact, the demand for credentials can be a way of ignoring the call, delaying or looking for a loophole.

Some questions for you today:

Where have you heard a voice crying in the wilderness?  Did you listen?  What did it say?

Who are you?  If someone asked you for an account, what would you say?