Quiet Time

Today’s message was written by guest pastor, Rev. Tasha Blackburn.

When John the Baptist began preaching, he described himself as “a voice crying in the wilderness.” Which sounds like desperation. That’s how we use the phrase now. We say that kind of thing when we don’t think anyone will listen when we think nothing will change: I’m a voice crying in the wilderness! Remembering how John was introduced, we only feel even more desperate. Here is that introduction: “In the 15th year of Emperor Tiberius’ reign, when Pontius Pilate was governor, and Herod was ruler, and his brother Philip also ruled, during the priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John.”

All these powerful rulers are listed, representatives of an empire of oppression, and, opposite them, there is John. Just John, all on his own: desperation. Except for two things. First, we are told that the Word of the Lord came to John. It didn’t come to Pilate or Tiberius, or any of the powers that be. The Lord chose to send his word to John, this ordinary and powerless guy.

The second reason this isn’t desperation: the fact that the Word of the Lord came at all. The last time God’s word had been given was to the prophet Malachi. That was 500 years before. 500 years the people had waited and wondered and even given up hope. They were voices crying in the wilderness. But then came John, ordinary John. The Lord sent his word to him to show he had not forgotten his people. That voice crying in the wilderness is a message of hope and a promise fulfilled: that God both keeps his word and continues to send his word.

I don’t know about you but it feels like God has been pretty quiet lately. We can even wonder if he has stopped talking to us for good. I hope today some of what could be desperation can become hope. Because God never gives up on us. He may be quiet for a while but he is always there and he will work through his people again. And again and again.

Let’s pray: Almighty God, we can feel so alone. We can feel separated from others and even from you. Speak to us again; speak through us. Send us your word that is more powerful than all other powers. In your name, we pray. Amen.