A man down by the river

 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” - Mark 1:1-8

Mark starts immediately with the answer,  Jesus.  The prophet Isaiah write about a voice from the wilderness and then entering stage left, John the Baptist.  

Now here comes the trouble.  A man wearing a camel hair outfit with a belt and some limited dining options of locusts and honey preaching the message of repentance and forgiveness of sins down by the river.

He had no earthly pedigree and did not work in the traditional religious system of the day.  What would the people think?  Only God could inspire a message through this faithful man.

Today, we need to be aware that God is likely to use the most unlikely people to preach and share His gospel.  Are we open to listening for God through people when they have not been to Seminary? That wear different clothes?  Have different diets? That have a public sin offense?

Let's encourage one another to humbly hear God through all the avenues that he uses.  Prayer, Church, His Word, Holy Spirit, and you and me. Even if we like to eat chocolate covered locusts. Yum.

Brad
S.A.S.S.