The Gospel
According to Mark records this description of John the Baptizer. “John
wore clothes made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and
his food was locusts and wild honey.” (Mark 1:6) His outfit might have been
right in style in some contexts, but few of us would have wanted to join him
for his lunch. Old John was just a bit different in his lifestyle from the
other folks of his day. In fact he looked a lot like Elijah of the Old Testament
(II Kings 1:8). Yet God used him in a powerful way as the Messianic Forerunner.
How would he
have appeared to the crowds of his day? Given his diet, he was probably underweight
though not starving, definitely not overweight. The swarming locusts that made
up much of his food were rich in protein and other necessary minerals
(Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, Vol. 3). They were considered a
delicacy when they weren’t eating your wheat crop and fig trees. If you were
going to eat many of these little, six-legged creatures, the honey would have
made a nice coating.
John would
not have been hampered by our modern sanitation sensibilities. He probably
smelled in ways that would not be approved by our standards, but he also smelled
a lot like the people who came to him to be baptized. Daily baths were not
considered essential requirements. Clothing likewise for the common people was
utilitarian only.
Yet John was
the vessel God chose to use to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah,
Jesus. Our modern standards would question his public image, his social
standing, and his background experience. The political and religious rulers of
his day either rejected his message outright or missed the critical core of his
mission. The end result was that both groups received his condemnation which
brought about his imprisonment and death.
On the other
hand he spoke the Truth and the common people flocked to him (Luke 3:7-9). This
human vessel dressed in camel hair and smelling like the arid wilderness
offered a way to meaningful life, something the old establishments could not.
He spoke of a morality that was grounded in the nature of God and not subject
to the whims of man. He pointed to Someone greater than himself (John 1:19-28),
greater than the temple rulers, even greater than the Roman emperor. He brought
a message of hope to a hopeless world.
All of this
is to say God doesn’t worry about the condition of the vessel he uses to bring
the Truth into the world. He wants to know if the vessel is available for use.
If available, he’ll make it useful. John was available and God used him to
prepare a nation for the coming of the Christ. Throughout history God has been
using individuals who made themselves available regardless of their background.
Abraham
lived in a far country. Moses was the son of slaves. Deborah was a woman. David
was a shepherd. Isaiah was a priest. Jeremiah was a young man. Amos was a
shepherd and tree trimmer. Hosea had a messy home life. Ezekiel watched his
wife die. Elizabeth was an old woman. Mary was a young virgin. Several of the
apostles were fishermen. One was a tax collector. Saul persecuted the church
before becoming Paul the Apostle. Timothy was of mixed race being Hebrew and
Greek. Luke was a Greek physician. Throughout the Old and New Testament
periods, God used the people who were available. He does that still today.
Their names
are Evelyn, Bob, Don, William, Irene, Billy, Charles, Elizabeth, Stephanie,
Wayne, Tim, and so on. They are in their twenties and thirties with critical
illnesses, but they are faithful in their prayers and service as they are able.
They are in their late seventies and eighties and still working for the Lord.
They are in your church and mine. They have made themselves available to God
and he is using them. The condition of the vessel is not important, only the willingness
to proclaim the Truth.
