Advent 2: Matthew 3:1-12 (ESV)

Matthew 3:1-12 (ESV)

Can you imagine living on a diet of locust and wild honey and wearing camel hair clothing? Well, John the Baptist was a most unusual prophet in this way. However, John was able to attract hundreds of people to hear his message, the Gospel of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People were moved by his words because he spoke the truth, challenging them to turn from their sins and baptizing them in the Jordan River as a symbol of their repentance. Yes, John attracted the people but his message was to point beyond himself to Jesus, whose sandals he felt unworthy to tie. John’s message was: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” He was proclaiming the coming of Jesus, God’s Son, sent to earth. Jesus, our Savior, died on the cross so we could have forgiveness of our sins and our hearts transformed. May we, remembering our baptism, have power to go forth to proclaim Jesus as our Lord and Savior from sin. Can we, like John, point others to our Lord’s love and sacrifice? Can others see that we are more loving and more forgiving because we are reflecting God’s work in our lives?

May our prayer this Advent season be:

“Come Lord Jesus, be our guest and may our service to you, be the best!”

Deaconess Jean Wildgrube

Albany Zone