If Advent is new to you, I don’t blame you for feeling a bit confused. Advent as preparation for Christmas is a no-brainer. All these other things, like Jesus’ return, that are a part of Advent, can seem beside the point. But in the second week of Advent, a figure takes center stage who both completely makes sense and who stretches our brains: John the Baptist.
It makes sense to speak of John in Advent. John the Baptist is the one we know is coming to “prepare the way.†Listen to what the angel says to his father Zechariah:
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.†(Luke 1:13–17 (NRSV))
What really stretches us is what, or rather, who stands behind John:
See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse. (Malachi 4:5–6 (NIV))
What are we to make of this? John isn’t just like Elijah. In some way he is Elijah! Jesus draws the connection very close:
Then [the disciples] asked [Jesus], “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?†He said to them, “Elijah is indeed coming first to restore all things. How then is it written about the Son of Man, that he is to go through many sufferings and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him. (Mark 9:11–13 (NRSV))
Why should we care about John and his connection with Elijah? What does this have to do with Advent?
Speaking to Power
First, just like Elijah, John spoke to power. Elijah was not afraid to confront Ahab, the king of Israel (and behind him, Jezebel). The scene of Elijah confronting the prophets of Baal would make a great Hollywood movie! Likewise, John confronts Herod over his improper marriage relationship – and pays the price!
This Advent, we should ask, “In what ways are we called to speak to power?†And more to the point, are we willing to bear the consequences? (The phrase “Don’t lose your head†takes on a different meaning in reference to John the Baptist!) This is a very scary question in the context of the academy – degrees and tenure are on the line. [Read more…] about Advent and John the Baptist