"a Man Of Mystery" Advent Iii

In Jesus Holy Name December 13, 2020

Redeemer Text John 1:14

“The Man of Mystery”

The title “man of mystery” belongs to John the Baptist. He was an unusual prophet shrouded in mystery. A child of the desert. His face, weathered by the wind and desert sun. Untrimmed beard. Tanned skin. Clothing of animal skins. What he owned fit in a pouch. His walls were mountains and his ceiling the stars. His was a courageous voice of repentance.

What did Jesus say about His cousin? “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. (Matthew 11:7-11)

This is what the prophet Isaiah said: ‘I will send My messenger. He will prepare Your way.’ John had three responsibilities; “to clear the way for the Lord’ arrival, to prepare the way, calling for repentance and then to get out of the way of the Lord.”

Zechariah, the father of John had a predictable life. He did the same tasks, ate the same food, kissed the same woman, probably lived in a quiet house. Maybe a long time ago, against the reality of age he had given up the desperate prayer for a child, wondering if God was ever going to answer. Until He did. And angel bursts into the life of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Nothing would ever be the same. Life was about to be totally rearranged. His son’s birth would be a miracle, a reminder of Abraham and Sarah and the birth of Isaac.

John had a Unique Ministry. “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth; (Isa. 40:3-5)

John invited people to step into the water and be baptized then change their behavior. That is what it means to “make the crooked places straight, rough places smooth.” When I repent it allows God to make the crooked places in my heart and

your heart straight. He straightens out the crookedness that I have left behind. The straight ‘place’ is a heart of honesty, humility, goodness. It is a heart that loves God (Mark 12: 29 – 31) and loves others before itself. It is a heart that surrenders to worship, praise, and obedience to words of Jesus.

John preached against the legalism of the Pharisees and their 600 plus religious rules, that they thought obtained righteousness before God. He preached against the liberal Sadducee’s, who didn’t believe in eternity, nor the resurrection. He looked them in the eye and called them “snakes.” John was hardly a people pleaser.

Down at the river , there were Jews from Jerusalem, a group of priests and religious officials who asked John several questions. Are you the Messiah? Are you the 2nd coming of Elijah? “No” He said. They pressed him. “Are you the Prophet? “No” Exasperated, they said, “Who then? We need an answer for those who sent us.” John responded: “I’m doing what the prophet Isaiah preached. “I’m the one calling in the desert…make the road straight for God!” He is coming.

John was preparing the way… announcing that the Messiah would soon be arriving. Prepare your hearts. Change your behavior. Do good deeds in keeping with repentance. Thus, John’s question to us this morning….How are you preparing for the celebration of the Savior’s arrival? Sending out Christmas cards? Decorating your home and tree. Reading the Gospel of Luke? Of course you and I are doing these “Christmas Prep things.”

Cleaning the house? Of course. But are you cleaning up your bad habits? Wrapping gifts? Of course; or are you trying to hide past mistakes? Pretty paper and bows may hide our broken commandments from our neighbor, but not from God. You cannot quench your guilt, not with a bottle of whiskey, nor perfect Sunday School attendance. Christmas prep calls for repentance, allowing God to make our path straight, so that our heart is no longer crooked.

John stood on the banks of the Jordan River. He was not the light. He

pointed to the true light, Jesus. “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Broken commandments and broken ethics always bring guilt. We don’t deal with guilt very well and neither did Adam. “When Adam was created, he was created without the ability to cope with guilt. He was not made to make mistakes. When he did, he had no way to deal with his guilt. When God pursued him… he ran away and hid.” That is why he needed a savior. Adam could not see the Bethlehem star but it was on the horizon of eternity. A plan was in place.