'A Life on Show' - Reflection 15th December 2024

 One of the current concerns in the UK at the moment is the increased use of facial recognition cameras. Speaking personally, I am a bit ambivalent and think that if you have nothing to hide, then what’s the issue.  Of course, in places like China or Russia it would be very different. And of course, for those who go into prison regularly photo ID is par for the course.

Today is the Third Sunday of Advent when ‘traditionally’ we think of John the Baptist as we did at St Oswald’s this morning.

John’s mission can be summarised by a simple phrase of, ‘someone who points to Jesus.’

John 1:29

 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Interestingly on the last two Sunday’s I have had someone comment on the way I engage with sung worship and prayers during our Morning Worship. I wasn’t aware of doing anything ‘special’ but obviously I had caught a couple of people’s eyes and brought them encouragement.

Today, as we explored John the Baptist (to be correct that should be John the Baptizer) we considered Luke 3.1-18.  We were invited to notice John’s message, certainly brusque and blunt and yet bearing something important to note.

First there is the call to repent.  Repentance here is something akin to Zacchaeus change of heart. I am also reminded of the Grinch, much beloved by our grandchildren. He had to change and have his heart ‘enlarged.’  Also, Dicken’s ‘Christmass Carol.’ We had a real treat last week when we went to Rugby Theatre to see a brilliant  performance. Then there is an excellent modern rendition of The Christmass Carol with Ross Kemp playing the part of Scrooge as a modern-day money lender in a deprived area of London. Produced in 2000 it is just a tad dated but is still very moving and forms part of our 'annual Christmass watch.' . A key element in this adaptation is that Scrooge after his ‘visits’ think he can make amends by using money.   He must learn to repent, to have a total change of heart and then that is followed by financial recompense.  It is a beautiful and poignant story told in this way.  

Thus, John declares, ‘Bear fruits worthy of repentance.’

That’s the second thing to notice. Our repentance leads to ‘fruitfulness.’  

And John goes on to lay out what that fruitfulness might look like by referencing what many of Israel’s prophets had said in ages past.

There must be a care for the poor and the marginalised.  If we hold onto more than ‘our daily bread’ we might be denying someone else of getting their own daily bread by our greed and fear of scarcity.

And tax collectors, (was one of these Zacchaeus who continued to chew over John’s message?) - well they must stick to the rules and be honest. Practically that might mean a serious reduction in income.

Then the soldiers, ‘what must we do?”  From John’s answer to them we learn we must not abuse our power and authority.

Some might think that pointing people to Jesus means a verbal declaration. And of course, it does mean that, but also so much more. “I can’t hear what you are saying because your actions are getting in the way.”

Everything we do, say or are, every word, every action, if we are seeking to be true apprentices to Jesus, will point to him and not to us. We follow Jesus, to become like Jesus and do the things that Jesus did.

^“He must become greater; I must become less.”  John 3.30

In summary:

a) Repentance

b) Fruitfulness

c) Stick to the rules

d) Do not abuse power and authority

During the upcoming Christmass season we will probably be engaging with a whole raft of people, family, friends and even visitors to some of our activities at Church.

As we reflect on John the Baptist, and heed his message, we could use the above as a sort of check list on how well we are doing in pointing people towards Jesus and away from ourselves. And like our friend Zaccheaus, that all begins with repentance - but by no means ends there!