Advent One

The Beheading of St John the Baptist
Pierre Puvis De Chavannes - Barber Institute

This is an account of the life of Jesus, a man who has had many different names given to him across different times, cultures and religions. Jesus was a man never the less, but also a man who is not a man. His ‘was’ became ‘IS’, as he returned from the dead and is alive today. He becomes of ‘no gender’. Jesus is the creator, dressed in a body, ready to join creation at ground level. Discovering who Jesus is takes more than words. This account was told by John, a friend of Jesus. My account takes the story through time, generations, names and genders, to see what it has to say to us today. There was another John, a wild man. He was actually Jesus’ cousin. John took it in his head to say and do extraordinary things. The town council decided they needed to know more about what was going on. A delegation was dispatched to find John and question him. 

 Here is what was said: 

“Which religion are you from?” 

“No religion in particular.” 

“So are you a leader?” 

“No.” 

“Then you are a missionary?"

“No.” 

“Who are you? We need to check. What do you want us to say?” 

“I am someone saying ‘get ready’ because something enormous is going to happen.” 

“What are you up to? Why all this razzamatazz?”

 “Me? I'm doing very little, not compared with what's to come. You wait! You'll certainly know when you see it.” 

 The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him on the other side of the street. He called out to everyone who could hear... 

"Here is the person who will turn the world upside down. Look, listen, observe this one. The spirit of the Creator is here with us right now." 

Thoughts and Prayers for Day One 

Jesus’ cousin John explains to the people what is about to happen…and is executed for his pains 

“Nothing is stronger than an idea” said the French author Victor Hugo. John the Baptist comes with a clear message. “Clean yourself up. Get ready to meet an important person.” Why does this seem such a threat to the established order? John never hurt anyone but he was seen as a tremendous threat at the time. He ended up chucked in prison, and then executed. What was the problem? The authorities questioned him trying to make sense of what was he up to? What where people drawn to? When we see a crowd around someone in the street, doesn’t it also spark our curiosity? We also become cautious/ suspicious / excited? Someone alone tends to create little interest; we walk by. John was very clear about what was important. He was clear about the significance of Jesus. This is remarkable because Jesus was his cousin. Could this have been a con, a double act, a stitch-up? Was it a religiously inspired rebellion like the Taliban? Were these enquirers the biblical equivalent to the British government’s ‘Prevent’ Program. Were they fearful of the radicalisation of vulnerable young lives? The authorities got a clear message from John that he was not promoting himself and his own power, but pointing to Jesus. He was pointing to Jesus, and also identifying with him. How can John’s position be understood today? What makes his life a challenge to me? How does he disturb my order? What feelings do his behaviours evoke in me? What would I do if I met him today? 

 PRAYER – Let’s ask for courage to be like John.