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CHAPTER II Repent
Religious authority did not know what to do with John.
To them, he was a prophet, but one of nominal consequence. Except, of course, for the fact that he stirred up so much trouble, and that so many followed him. The issues surrounding John must be addressed, but just how to do that appeared difficult. He was an anomaly. Meanwhile, John spoke of something else that was a total mystery to the religious community.
"I baptize you with water for repentance, but there is someone coming after me who is mightier than I." John paused, his voice softened. How had he come to start baptizing people? Clearly, it began with his sense of purpose. From a child he had known that God would require something of the hearts of men. His life, he felt, was dedicated--purposed--to assist in bringing about that requirement. It is only right that there should be a symbolic ritual. As circumcision indicated Israel's separation to God, so should there be something befitting one's dedication to God, something confirming one's desire for forgiveness. What could it be?
John loved water. There is a special spot along the Jordan just south of Galilee, where the water flows fast, sluicing through the rocks with a roar. In that spot, John discovered two pointed rocks protruding from the bottom of the stream which he could grasp. In doing so, he lay out flat against the current while he held on tightly, his body bouncing and snapping as a flag in a stiff wind. The cold water and its roaring froth felt like a thousand thorns pricking his skin. Refreshing, pounding sensory exuberance! He returned there again and again.
While he wore the most primitive of clothing and consumed the most rudimentary elements for food, he bathed every day, living a life of meticulous cleanliness. He spent his entire adult life in the environs of rivers and streams. Cool waters invigorated him. Could it be something as simple as dipping a soul beneath the surface of water? Oh, my God, what do you want? It was a good thing, bathing, feeling almost to cleanse the soul as well as the body. His communion with God complete, the matter satisfied, and so at peace John came, preaching a "baptism" of repentance. Even more provoking for John was that from a child he had struggled with the notion that he was sent by God to prepare the way for Messiah, the Blessed, Anointed One. He believed this, yet it seemed so implausible.
His thoughts momentarily somewhere else. He had forgotten his audience. Emerging from his reverie, apparently assuming his hearers could read his thoughts, he declared abruptly, "I am not fit to remove his sandals," his thoughts continuing, his eyes pensive. They wondered of whom he spoke. "When he comes, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." Again, John's voice lifted, "His winnowing fork will be in his hand, and he will thoroughly clear his threshing floor. Clear it, do you understand!? He will clear it so that there will not be so much as one wisp of chaff left to consider! He will gather his wheat into the barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." The words poured out of him in a crescendo as though some invisible force were controlling his speech. Visibly shaken and out of breath, the 'Baptist' sat down.
The prophetic ministry of John the Baptist had been foretold in the words of Isaiah, . . 'Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low. The crooked shall become straight and rough roads shall become smooth. And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'" People were in a state of expectation and wondering about John. Could he be the Christ? This was especially true for the religious authorities. Since they did not know how to discredit this wild man, they had to interpret him to the masses, so priests and Levites from Jerusalem came to ask him, "Who are you?" "I am not the Christ," said John abruptly as if having already been advised of the real intent of their question. Where amongst the firmament of heaven and hell would he get that idea? they thought. Life in the desert has muddled his mind! What magnificent arrogance! Perhaps we should humor him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" "I am not." "Then you must be the 'Prophet!'" they were laughing at him. Moses had spoken of such a Prophet that would come instead of him, someone who would arise from "among their brothers." "No," declared John. "Well, who are you, man? We have to give an answer to those who sent us. What can you tell us about yourself?" John thought about this for a moment. Then he said, "I am just a voice. Just a solitary voice, a voice of one crying in the wilderness." This made absolutely no sense to them. They couldn't even respond to it. "All right then, if you are not the Christ, and if you are not Elijah, and if you are not the Prophet, why are you baptizing?" They looked at John and at each other with exasperation. "I baptize because I am a baptizer. Why do you do what you do? You enjoy calling me 'the Baptist.' Well, that is what I do. I baptize in water. It is the best I can offer. But let me tell you something; there stands among you One whom you do not know." He let them think about that. "It is he who comes after me," he continued. "I am not even worthy so much as to untie his sandal." They looked at him with expressions ranging from anger to astonishment. Ignoring them, John turned once again to the crowd and resumed preaching.
For however much John was moved by what he had just said, the multitudes were even more. They began to question him, "My God, man! Then what shall we do?" "Do? You ask me what to do? Are you stone deaf? What have I been saying? Repent! Change your attitudes. Change your way of life. Instead of using his name in vain, ask God to forgive your sins. If you have two tunics, share with him who has none, and if you have a bushel of olives, or a skin of wine, share your food and drink." The tax gatherers who had come to be baptized also begged, "Teacher, what shall we do?" "You people are consumed with avarice. You collect more taxes than required and you fill your coffers with the excess. Stop that! Clear enough?" Then some soldiers asked, "What about us, what shall we do?" Wearily, John responded, "You are in a position of power. Because you represent Rome, you are feared. Therefore, do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely. Be content with your wages." These practical, everyday matters were the fruit of repentance? Care for poor people? Do not use people for profit? Do not rob, falsely accuse or seek more than you are due? These are the things of repentance? This did not seem overburdening. Yet the impoverished were everywhere. Tax collectors were the richest people in the land. Roman soldiers in charge of enforcing civil law were well known for taking what they want, accusing whomever they chose with impunity and constantly complaining that Caesar did not pay them enough. These were matters, according to this unusual prophet, that interested God. Change in these matters may well indicate a change in the human heart. It would certainly mean a change in human suffering.
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