THE SOUND OF SILENCE

Can you hear the silence?  There are a few people around.  The disciples are there.  Spies sent by the Pharisees and teachers of the law are there.  And it is quiet.  The silence is heavy as people wait for Jesus to speak.  BUT he is silent.  Sorta looking off in the distance.  Watching the children play.  Can you hear the silence?

Of course not.  Jesus was not silent! 

Jesus healed the crippled woman and then was not silent on the hypocrisy of the synagogue leader.  “You hypocrites!”  Jesus had compassion.  The synagogue leader had none.  Jesus was not silent!

Jesus did not let the teachers of the law off the hook either.  “They walk around in flowing robes … have the most important seats in the synagogues … devour widow’s houses …”  Jesus warned people to be careful who they believed and followed.  Jesus was not silent!

Jesus spoke out against using the law unjustly.  The teachers of the law and Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus.  He called them out.  “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”  Then Jesus encouraged a sinner to change.  Jesus was not silent!

Jesus was not silent when his house was taken over by money changers.  “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’?  But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’“  Jesus demanded respect for a place of worship.  Jesus was not silent!

Can you hear the silence?  Of course not.  Jesus was not silent! 

SILENCE

Silence:  silence toward wrongdoing means supporting it

               silence means yes

               silence means being “not in opposition to”

               silence means tolerating and supporting

I used familiar passages to point out that Jesus was not silent.  He spoke up.  So, I wonder.  Are we to be silent?  But, I know the answer.  And the answer is no.  We are called to follow the Word of God and not what is being said and written in the pages of society’s papers and news.

We are called by God to speak against injustice and oppression.  We are called to defend the children and the unborn.  We are called to support family and stand against abuse.  We are called to share our faith in Jesus Christ. 

….. and yet … we are silent.

 

 

SCRIPTURES USED

The crippled woman:  Luke 13:10-17

The teachers of the law:  Mark 12:38-40

The adulterous woman:  John 8:2-11

The clearing of the temple courts:  Mark 11:15-17

YOU ARE IN CHARGE

“You are in charge,” Bill said as he handed me the TV remotes.  IN CHARGE?  That means I have POWER!!!  WOW….in charge ….power ….I can control what we watch.  There will be no stopping me now.  I HAVE THE REMOTE!

“Happy New Year, Mary.  Do you think this is going to be a good year for you?”

I thought so, but I have a feeling you think I am not starting out on the right foot.

“You seem excited.  What’s going on?”

When you ask me that, I know I am doing something wrong.  And why do you ask when you already know what I am doing? 

“Just checking to see if you know what you are doing.”

I’m not doing anything wrong.

“Really?”

(Looking at the remote and hearing myself say something about power, I know I am in trouble.)  I didn’t mean anything like ‘real’ power.  I just meant Bill wanted me to pick the station we watch next. 

“Really?  It seemed to me you were speaking in capital letters.  Power can be very addicting.”

I need to look up a scripture, don’t I?

“Ephesians 6:10”

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

“Do you see your name in that verse?”

No. 

“One more question.  Do you think you still find power in having the TV remote?”

Absolutely not!  AND I read the next verses.  (Making them personal.)  I will put on the full armor of God, so that I can take my stand against the devil’s schemes.  For my struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Wow.  I am sure glad I have your power backing me up.  Don’t think I would get very far fighting with a remote.

 “You are making progress, Mary.  Although I do get a chuckle when I picture you in front of the devil and pointing a remote.  Later”

 Sure… laugh and leave. 

IDOLS

You shall have no other gods before me.   Exodus 20:3

Idols, other gods, come in many forms.  Power can be an idol.

 JOHN BAPTIZES JESUS

 

 It was like any other morning.  John woke up to the sounds of nature.  Many thought it was strange that he slept outside.  They also didn’t understand his desire to wear camel hair and stay away from a good beef stew.  There was something about him though.  It seemed he was a people magnet.  Maybe it was his determination.  His loyalty to the mission he had been assigned in life.  Maybe it was because his message was the same.  He sure didn’t tell the Pharisees one thing and the common person something else.  He didn’t say what people wanted to hear.  He said what people needed to hear.

John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers!  Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?  Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.  And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’  For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.  The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Luke 3:7-9

Brood of vipers?  Why would anyone come to hear John call them names?  But, come they did.  They came to be baptized with water and hear John proclaim the Good News.  They also heard John say that one more powerful than him would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.  As the crowd looked around, they wondered who could be more powerful than John? His voice was like a beacon.  His voice was honest.  A voice people trusted.

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As John looked up, he saw a man walking toward him.  Even from far off, John recognized him.  This was Jesus.  He had an air about him.  His steps were certain.  His head held high.  Jesus.  The one greater than him.  Jesus was walking directly toward him.  John had no words.  He almost dropped the man he was baptizing.  Jesus.  Jesus is coming to him.

John began speaking, “This is the one I have been telling you about.  The Lamb of God.”

John said, “Jesus, you should baptize me.  I am not worthy to ….”

Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”

John baptized Jesus.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.  At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.  And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3:16-17

If John was vocal before, he could not be stopped now.  “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven.  It was as a dove.  Then I heard, “This is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.”

John The Baptist was a baby born for such a time as this.  He was real!  He had a mission!  And he honored the responsibility of that mission.  When you read about John The Baptist, see more than a man wearing camel hair and eating honey.  See a humble man, living the life he was born to live.  See a man proclaiming, “I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

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Thank you for taking this journey to discover that John The Baptist is so much more than camel hair and honey.  May your 2026 be filled with blessings and your soul filled with the Holy Spirit,  Mary

John the Baptist baptizes Jesus, Focus on the Family 

https://youtu.be/w9NgHAy-0yM?si=qNcbaIOlrrqxBm4K

 PREPARING THE WAY –WHO IS JOHN

 

 WHO IS JOHN?

If someone were to describe me, hopefully, they might use words like faithful, honest, loving, and follower of Christ.  I am sure the word list would not be long.  I found a long list of descriptive words for John, as I tried to find out:  WHO IS JOHN?

John was a child of God’s promise, received his name from God, and was ordained by an angel.  He is considered the last prophet of the Old Testament and the first prophet of the New Testament, often referred to as the Prophet of the Highest.  Wow!  John The Baptist had major credentials.  It’s a wonder he didn’t strut around in a robe and have his nose in the air.  Instead, he led a simple life and was described quite differently.

WHO IS JOHN?

What do you see when you look at John, in the above picture?  Do you see a man who is focused, determined, full of passion, and obedient?  John was brave and was not afraid of religious or political leaders.  Can you see past the camel hair and realize John had accepted the responsibility of answering God’s call?  He was on a divine mission, and he knew exactly where he stood in the pecking order.  John knew there was one greater than him.  John was humble and loyal to his mission to prepare the way for the Lord. 

WHO IS JOHN?

How many times do you have to hear something before you get it?  Before you believe it?  The people were constantly wondering if John might be the Messiah.  John answered them, “I baptize you with water.  But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”  He also told them, “I am not the Messiah.”  When asked if he was Elijah, he replied, “I am not.”  He did not call himself a prophet. 

“Who are you?” they asked.  Replying in the words of Isaiah the prophet, John said, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness. ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ “

WHO IS JOHN?

Do you see past the camel hair?  Do you have a new image of John?

John knew there was one greater.  He knew he was to prepare the way for the Lord.  And John did just that.  He baptized with water, until the time that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.

There was a man sent from God whose name was John.  A man, born for just such a time as this.

 

Here I Am, sung by 7 PM Choir

https://youtu.be/cDdniihKBzI?si=qUNN-sEOFV6W2V-7

 

 JOHN GROWS UP

 

 Elizabeth looked up and said, “Oh, Zechariah, how are we so blessed?  Our son has grown to be so tall and has lived up to everything the angel had said.  I don’t know how he lives on honey and …”

“Now, now,” Zechariah said.  “He has followed the path God placed him on.  I admit the neighbors tease about his attire and diet, but, in my heart, I see the hand of God.  He is so outspoken and does not back down, even from the Pharisees.  As a priest, I have never seen anyone so determined that everyone should hear his message.  He is filled with the Holy Spirit.  Yes, I know --- since Mary visited.”

He continued, “It seems the people are listening to him.  Israel needs to be prepared for the Lord and I do believe our John is just the man to accomplish this.  Our son.  Gabriel did say he would bring many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.”

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There he sat.  Under a tree.  Was it safe to approach him?  They had heard rumors, but gossip is not reliable.  Looking at him, the group stopped and whispered, “Do we go back?”  One person said, “His clothes.  He doesn’t look like a prophet.  He …..”.

“What does his clothes have to do with it?  We came to hear what he has to say.  My neighbor said he has a message we need to hear.  Said it would change our lives.  I am going to talk to him.  Are you coming?”  With that, he started toward the man sitting under the tree.

Not knowing what to expect, because they had heard about the passion in his voice that would boom and sometimes condemn, he walked up to the man and said, “Are you John?”

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My mind can picture all of this and I hope yours can too.  I want you to see that John was real.  He had parents who loved and worried about him.  He was alive.  He was humble.  He took the responsibility God gave him seriously.  Every action.  Every word.  Every body lowered into the water.  Every soul washed with the water of baptism.  Every time John shouted, “You brood of vipers!” or “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” the people listened.  They listened as John exhorted them and as he proclaimed the Good News.

John was the voice calling in the wilderness.  The crowds came.

 Find Your Wings, Mark Harris

https://youtu.be/-4NS7gChzvk?si=X27i4HNZUTqUN21h

 GABRIEL WAS RIGHT

 

Of course, the angel of God would be right.  Elizabeth,. even in her old age, became pregnant.  The baby was conceived the old-fashioned way. 

A BABY…A BABY BOY 

After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.

Luke 1:24

Can you see her?  Elizabeth is looking out the window.  “A son,” she said out loud.  “A son we are to name John.  After all these years, the Lord has done this for me.  His favor has taken away my disgrace.  No longer will the people look at me as if I am being punished by God.” 

The Lord has granted the prayers of Zechariah and Elizabeth.  She is pregnant.  I believe she chose to stay in seclusion for the first five months, because she was past childbearing years and was not sure how this pregnancy would change her body.  During this time, I am sure Elizabeth offered many prayers of gratitude.  I am sure Zechariah saw her instant faith in the news Gabriel delivered instead of his doubt and questioning.  This seclusion would give them time to say prayers of gratitude for this gift:  a son.  

AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  In a loud voice she exclaimed:  “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!  But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.  Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Luke 1:39-45

Can you see Elizabeth touching her stomach?  Can you see the wonder and questioning in her eyes?  Can you see her go to Mary and wonder why she is so blessed that Mary came to her?  Do you think she realized her child was destined to ….. 

At this point, I do not believe Elizabeth or Mary truly understood the future of the children they carried.  BUT, I can see two women, with great faith, sitting and sharing their emotions and their questions.  I can picture them sitting in a garden, offering prayers, and wondering what was ahead of them.

In the book of Esther, Mordecai told Esther, “Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this.”  As I read articles about John The Baptist, I realized Elizabeth had not previously conceived a child because she was being punished by God.  Elizabeth had not conceived because she was to carry a child who was being born for just such a time as this. 

IT IS TIME

Elizabeth was ready and gave birth to a son.  On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child and Elizabeth said, “He is to be called John.”  Zechariah, still not able to speak, wrote, “His name is John.”

 

You Will Always Be My Son, Caleb and Kelsey

https://youtu.be/FUsLT0hIOus?si=CITwAF-M6OGgMYK4

THE BIRTH OF A BABY FORTOLD

 

I want to introduce you to Zechariah, a Jewish priest, and his wife, Elizabeth.  This couple was righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all the Lord’s commandments and regulations.  Elizabeth had never conceived and was now very old.

NOT A NORMAL DAY

Elizabeth sent Zechariah on his way.  It was a great day for him.  What an honor to be the one serving God.  She could picture him entering the sanctuary of the Lord.  It would be a long week until she welcomed him home, and they would discuss his week over the evening meal.

Zechariah looked back one more time.  He knew she would still be watching him.  She always watched until he was out of sight.  He pictured her beginning the day's household chores.  Taking a deep breath, he turned his mind to his task.  The order of Abijah was on duty this week, and he was chosen, by lot, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.  This was an honor and each priest was only assigned this task once in his lifetime.

Turning the corner, he saw the crowd was gathering.  Today, the crowd seemed rather large.  He knew they would be praying during the burning of the incense and nodded to them as he closed the door.  His service to God would now begin.

The ketoret was a special blend of eleven herbs and balms, which was measured precisely.  This would be burned twice a day on the golden altar that stood in the Temple.  Ketoret means “bonding.”  The incense brings a pleasant odor to the temple, boosts the dignity and respect of the Temple, and represents the essential connection each person has with God.  With great reverence, Zechariah took the ketoret and placed it on the incense altar. 

As he looked up, he saw an angel of the Lord standing to the right of the incense altar.  He was overcome with fear, but the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer.”  The angel continued to tell him that Elizabeth would have a son.  A son they were to name John. 

Zechariah listened as the angel told about the life John would have.  This is where things go a bit off track for Zechariah.  He questions the angel, Gabriel.  The angel that stands in the presence of God.  The angel God sent to bring the good news about the future birth of his son.  Gabriael, being more than a bit upset, caused Zechariah to be silent.  Silent until after the birth of baby John.

The people were waiting when Zechariah came out and wanted to know why he had been inside so long.  Zechariah couldn’t tell them.  Have you ever played the game Pictionary?  That is what I picture him doing.  All sorts of motions … until they realized he had seen a vision.

When his week was completed, he returned home.  Soon afterward Elizabeth became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. 

“How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed.  “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”

 

Angels Among Us, Alabama

https://youtu.be/y_4Xfj2LRSA?si=bz3lQGe0rm37m-C6