David Bahn – Reflections

Mark 1:4-8
John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

I’ve noticed a trend that is puzzling on the one hand because it seems so self-contradictory, but upon closer look, makes total sense. I see it this morning at the breakfast spot where people are dressed in an array of chic to grunge that is baffling. On the one hand you you’d surely think that people just don’t care how they look, while at the same time others appear to be totally consumed with their appearances.
I think the truth is that people are making a statement with their dress. Some are saying “I want to look stylish,” and others are saying “I want to look like I’m comfortable just being me.” It seems clear to me that people are saying something by their dress and style.
John was saying something by his dress and appearance as he prepared the way for Jesus. It was surely a strange sight to the people of his day. But this is the garb of a prophet to be sure. John’s clothing and food correspond to that of other preachers in the desert (cf. 1 Kings 17: 4, 9; Mal. 3: 1; 4: 5–6).
What are you saying by your means of dress? Is your faith showing in some manner – beyond a cross necklace or tee-shirt slogan? If someone notices, do you have something to say? John’s call to repentance rings clear through the years for all of us.

Mark 1
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.