The Testimony of John the Baptist

Creation: A Divine Cycle
The Savior Has Been born

The Forerunner of the Savior

John 1:19-23. The Message 

Thunder in the Desert

19-20 When Jews from Jerusalem sent a group of priests and officials to ask John who he was, he was completely honest. He didn’t evade the question. He told the plain truth: “I am not the Messiah.”
21 They pressed him, “Who, then? Elijah?”
“I am not.”
“The Prophet?”
“No.”
22 Exasperated, they said, “Who, then? We need an answer for those who sent us. Tell us something—anything!—about yourself.”
23 “I’m thunder in the desert: ‘Make the road straight for God!’ I’m doing what the prophet Isaiah preached.”

For Reflection

"I am the thunder in the desert..."  What an image!  Think of it.  Picture it.  You are standing on a high spot looking out into a darkening sky.  Flashes of lightening against a threatening clouds followed by the deep bass rumble of thunder vibrating inside your chest. You are held captivated by the awesome power.   The storm is frightening and powerful, and yet, it is essential to life.  The rain and the lightening provides nutrients to foster growth in all living things.  The waters will cleanse the Earth and sustain it.

John, the Baptist, announces the coming of the Messiah, one who is as fearsome  as thunder. A Messiah who will ignite the world with good news that will strike down false prophets and illuminate the truth of God and God's will for all human-kind.

Pray

Thank God for the promise of freedom in truth.  Praise God for the gift of Jesus.  Pray that you will love God and let the Holy Spirit enrich your soul in the Way of Christ.