By Landon Weldy, a sophomore business major from Goshen
Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12 (NRSV)
“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
As I read this verse, I am reminded of the musical Godspell, which opens with John the Baptist singing the lyrics, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” Before long, he is joined by the rest of the cast, who sing in joyous unison about the coming of the Christ.
I find it fitting that even before Jesus began his ministry, people were preparing for his coming. John preached about the arrival of the kingdom, and baptized those who were willing. They all wanted Jesus to get there already. In the same way, we are called to prepare for the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven. I think that if we pursued Jesus with the same energy and love as the disciples in Godspell, the world would be a better place.
“Hold on,” you might say. “Now what exactly is the Kingdom of Heaven? Is it a physical kingdom? Will there be horses?” Well, not exactly. The definition I grew up with is that it is places and times where God’s love and justice can be found. This means that every effort we take to make a positive impact on those around us — seeking justice, creating peace — we are causing the will of God to be realized, right now. John called the crowds to prepare the way for the Lord — Jesus wasn’t going to do all the work himself. The same is true today.
Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12 (NRSV)
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’” 4Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
7But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruit worthy of repentance. 9Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11“I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”