The Locust and Wild Honey Cook Book

Gospel	Luke 3:1-6

The call of John the Baptist

In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the lands of Ituraea and Trachonitis, Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the pontificate of Annas and Caiaphas the word of God came to John son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. He went through the whole Jordan district proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the sayings of the prophet Isaiah:

A voice cries in the wilderness:

Prepare a way for the Lord,

make his paths straight.

Every valley will be filled in,

every mountain and hill be laid low,

winding ways will be straightened

and rough roads made smooth.

And all mankind shall see the salvation of God.

Entering stage right into our drama a man whom we would describe as "odd" or perhaps it would be more respectful and more to the point to describe him as "unique."  John the Baptist is an interesting character to be sure.  He, through Luke's Gospel, does us a service. Luke mentions who was in charge during this period of time. 

Tiberius Caesar, Roman emperor—AD 14–37

Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea—AD 26–36

Herod, tetrarch of Galilee—4 BC-AD 39

Annas ben Seth, high priest—AD 6–15

Joseph Caiaphas, high priest—AD 18–36

Do you see something strange in the list of actors in our drama?  Notice that Luke lists Annas ben Seth as high priest.  Well, Annas was a High Priest Emeritus by this time and you would think he should not have been included in this list.  But Luke was not giving just a dull recitation of a roster of leaders, he was making it clear who were the real power people.  The High Priest, Joseph Caiaphas would make no important move without consulting with Annas whose Machiavellian moves brought Caiaphas into power.  So if we read between the lines we can make some educated guesses as to the political situation of the time and we can also zero in, as best as we can, on the year Jesus was born and when he died. His birth took place during the reign of Herod so it had to take place between 4 BC and 1AD and if we reckon that Jesus was 33 when he died, his death had to take place sometime between 29 and 36 AD.  It could not come after 36 AD because the players in our play exited the scene in the year 36, except ironically, since he was always worried that someone was after his job, Herod who lasted another three years!  But let's get back to John the Baptist. 

Zachary was John's father and Elizabeth was his mother.   They were both beyond childbearing age and had not been blessed with an heir.  Zachary reported to the temple to serve and by lot was chosen to offer incense in the Holy of Holies.  This was a great honor and a priest could only do this once in his life.  So it was with great humility and awe that he entered and began to offer the incense when an angel announced to him that the Lord had heard his prayer and that he would have a son.  He expressed some doubt about this and the Angel told him that because he did not believe that he would be struck mute until the child was born and named John.  The child was born and all the relatives came by to celebrate and they were going to name the child.  Elizabeth told everyone that the boy's name was going to be John.  You could have heard a pin drop.  Then there was a tumult.  The relatives pointed out that there were no ancestors that bore that name, surely the boy should be named after a deceased relative as was the custom.  An argument ensued and the boy's father, who still could not speak, called for a writing implement and wrote, "His name shall be John."  With that, he got his voice back and we fade to black as the scene ends. 

I can't help wondering what sort of child John was.  Did he play with the other children?  Was he very serious all of the time?  We do not know what sort of child he was as the Bible is silent on this as the Gospel writers did not consider this as important information. 

There is no record that Jesus and John met before John baptized Jesus in the Jordan but I like to think that they did have some childhood memories to share together because their families were close as evidenced by Mary going to help Elizabeth when Elizabeth was pregnant with John.  John as a man retreated to the desert wearing a garment made of camel hair (itchy, scratchy) and he ate locusts, an excellent source of protein, and wild honey. yellow energy, which he needed to use as he ran away from the bees! 

So, our cast of characters is ready, the curtain is ready to go up on the story of Jesus. Are you ready?  Are you aware that His birth so long ago affects you and your ultimate destiny today?  Can you hear the Baptist crying out in the wilderness?  Do his words cause you to pause in your busy life and think what a wondrous God we have that He would deign to become one of us, and not as some high fulluting muckity muck but rather as a poor boy.  Being born not in a palace but in a cave or stable.  Can you slow down for a moment, put aside thoughts of what to get Aunt Matilda (a new box to put her dentures in at night perhaps...) and what to serve for dinner and which party invitations to accept?  Can you reserve some few minutes to examine your conscience and mourn over your sins?  Can you spend a moment telling the Lord of your sorrow?  Can you spend some time in church in that line to go to confession?  Can you take care of your spirit as well as you take care of your body at the gym?  

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the season and spend just a few minutes of quality time in the desert with John.  Listen to the wind, see the sand and the rocks, and hear the voice of the Lord as He tells you how much He loves you and how he wants to hear about everything in your life, the joys, sorrows, victories, and defeats.  He wants you to tell Him all.  He loves you so very much and wants to get to know you and he will come into your heart as deeply as you allow Him to.  He will heal what needs to be healed if you allow Him.  All he needs is for you to give Him some time.  He promises that He won't waste it.  

A rather disturbing Advent Hymn for you.  Be sure to watch it all of the way through.  (3 minutes) 

Please pray for the Poor Souls this week.  A friend of mine passed away, Phil Sangirardi, a good man and he sure could use your prayers.  Thank you for all you can do.