“John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with^[f]water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Mark 1:4-8

{A passenger in a taxi tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him something. The driver screamed and lost control of the cab, nearly hit a bus and drove up over the curb, stopping inches from a large window. For a few moments everything was silent in the cab. Then the driver quietly said, “Please don’t do that! You scared the daylights out of me.” The passenger, who was also frightened, apologized and said he didn’t realize a tap on the shoulder could startle someone so much—to which the driver replied, “It’s really not your fault. Today is my first day driving a cab. I’ve been driving a hearse for 25 years.”}

What startles or surprises you in our world anymore? I believe we live in a society where nothing really surprises us too much. As a pastor I have the opportunity to talk to people who are nearing the end of their lives. And as we reflect upon their lives, we often comment on how much the world has changed in the last 80 years. Between landing people on the moon, finding cures for many diseases, the advent of the internet age and being able to be connected with everyone all around the world, to think about how much our world has changed is truly startling.

John’s message and his appearance were both startling. But both were the advent of something new. John was preaching a water baptism – a baptism of repentance. And John was the point-man for Jesus – living the Prophet’s life letting others know that Jesus was coming with the Holy Spirit, and fire. And his baptism would bring a new understanding of Baptism – bringing the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation.

The love, mercy and Grace that comes to us through Jesus Christ, my friends, is truly startling.

 Pastor Dave