Our RCL readings for this Sunday provide us with a second look at John the Baptist. To be granted a second look in our readings for two Sundays in a row, it would seem that there is much to learn from him – the voice from the wilderness.

We already recognized him to be rough looking and not the kind of person that you would invite to any proper occasion. Truth be told, you will not want too much preaching to be given on such a character who does not hesitate the slightest in offending anyone – “you brood of vipers, who told you to flee from the wrath to come?” The question perhaps, am I one to be numbered among the brood of vipers?

We learn from Scripture that John is a contemporary of Jesus for their births seem to be near to each other. Rather than calling attention to himself, John deferred to Jesus and directed people to Jesus, recognizing that his cousin had a greater position and role. All this sounds good but what do we hope to glean from these verses?

In the first volume of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, JRR Tolkien writes of a conversation between Frodo Baggins and Gandalf. Gandalf explains the consequences to Frodo who is now in possession of the “one ring”. Hearing this, Frodo says, “I wish it need not have happened in my time.” “So do I,” replied Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

Since the beginning of time, this age old question has been repeated – “What should we do then?”  What do we do, indeed?

We can of course remain introspective and enter into countless debates over trivial matters while the world languish with a pandemic that still has the upper hand, wars and civil unrest among various nations that go unabated, climactic change that threatens the world with catastrophic disasters, economic upheaval that impoverishes those who have little and enriches the wealthy, the rot within our world governing structures that gives rise to the continuous overthrow of governments, … need I go on?

Against such odds, what do we do then? The reply from John the Baptist is simple – “Repent” – “turn around” 180 degrees. It is not about the person next to you who needs to turn around. It is about “you” – all of us need to turn around and see the other side. It is not whether I will get a present this Christmas from so and so. It is whether the garbage collector, the postal worker, the road sweeper, etc., will receive a gift from us this season. It is not whether I’ll get invited to yet another Christmas party but whether you will throw one for others.

Turn around and come face to face and behold the Prince of Peace among us. God has not deserted us. He has been with us all along in our struggles and hardships; all along even in the midst of the pandemic and what have you. So reach out to him with a glass of water to quench his thirst and a meal to ease his hunger.

Maranatha! Come Lord!

Blessings

Chee

Please scroll down below for notices about Sunday school in December, Covenants for 2022, and our weekly on-line prayer meeting on Thursday evenings.
We are also continuing our Tree Angel Appeal; this year it’s for Rahab Ministries who offer a new future and hope for former sex workers in the Patpong area.
As well as the tree angels, there will be stone-beaded necklaces for sale made by the women of Rahab who seek hope for a better new life.
Scroll further down for a couple of new and important notices for you from the Church Council. One concerns nominations for next year’s council and the other is about a policy document which is being proposed for ICB.

Don’t forget, this Sunday………….