Introduction
While I often criticize the decisions of the RCL’s structure, I don’t often completely dismiss it. However, if one were to dismiss it, this might be the week (as you could preach on next week’s Lukan text since it will be Christmas Eve).
I get frustrated by this week’s text because it’s almost an exact repeat of last week’s Gospel and contains some deliberate contradictions because Mark and John have different theologies.
The Contrasts
In Mark, he is purposefully voicing John as an Elijah figure, the forerunner for the Messiah (Mal. 3:1). In John, John is deliberately denying that he is Elijah.
In Mark, John the Baptist is a kind of wild and crazy street corner preacher, wearing camel’s hair and eating locusts. In John, John the Witness is never described in that way and seems to be more of normal pastoral type.
In Mark, John proclaims that his baptism is of “repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” In John, when asked about why he is baptizing, John never says but instead points that one that is coming after him.
So, leaning into these contrasts to figure out a preaching avenue: Why it’s fun to preach on Mark is because there is a reason to John’s madness. When we hear that he is to “prepare the way of the Lord,” we immediately see it in action. He is declaring a baptism of repentance, hearing people’s confessions, and prophesying of one that is to come. We can see how he is in fact paving a way for Jesus.
In John, John the Witness has one singular purpose, to point to Jesus. In every answer, in every action, in every step, he is pointing to Jesus. There is no “reason for his baptism” outside of directing the community toward the “one who stands among you.”
So, what do we do with that?
John the Witness
In Mark’s gospel, we can follow in the way of John, but we cannot BE John the Baptist. He is a singular figure, the forerunner leading up to the coming Messiah. Just like we can follow Jesus but cannot be Jesus, we can follow in the way of John but we cannot be the Baptist.
John’s gospel is a little different. John the Witness is just that, a witness. One who sets the precedent from the very 1st chapter of the Gospel. We who have seen the light, who have born witness to the Messiah, are called to point at Christ just as John points to Christ and do so with complete humility.
The author wants there to be no mistaken identity here. John the Witness denies every possible label that can be attached to him. He is not the Messiah, Elijah, or the prophet. His baptism is for no other purpose than to prepare people to meet the coming one. When others try to put him higher, he humbles himself further.
In chapter 3, John’s disciples come to him as they struggle with Jesus’ growing authority.
25Now a discussion about purification arose between John’s disciples and a Jew. 26They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27John answered, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. 28You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.’ 29He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. 30He must increase, but I must decrease.”
John could uplift himself. He could stress the importance of his role and how essential he is to the movement. He could resent the one who is coming. He could try to be something more than he is. But John always recognizes who he is and who he’s called to be, the one who points to Christ. Humble, yet confident. Selfless, yet convicted.
It is a great example for us in how to point to Christ in our spiritual journeys too.
Preaching Possibilities
What does it mean to point to Christ this Advent season?
Usually, I advocate for sticking to the narrative of the Gospel that you’re in, but this is a unique series of weeks in the lectionary cycle. Including Christ the King Sunday, we get all 4 Gospels in one month. And so, we have an opportunity to ask the question more broadly.
What does it mean to point to Christ this Advent season?
It does mean to pointing to the Christ child in Luke who comes to us in the lowliest form. The one who comes to us in unexpected places and appearing to ordinary folks like shepherds, innkeepers, and townsfolk. Through the Christ child and the Holy family, we are reminded of all those who need the help of community to get by. We are reminded that there is not always enough to go around and that there is a need around us.
It does mean pointing to Christ as a King who does not talk of power and glory. Who does not speak about a return to power and might. But instead, a King who talks about serving others, especially “the least of these” who are naked, hungry, thirsty, imprisoned, or a stranger. A blatant contrast to the political campaigns we are hearing today from each party around the nation and around the world. All who are emphasizing a return to greatness. All who are emphasizing economic and military might. We are reminded that Christ our King leads very differently than our leaders today.
It means pointing to Christ who is coming urgently and working for the kingdom immediately. It means seeing the needs of those around us and working to help where we can as we can. It means proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ here and now and not waiting for another time.
In means pointing to Christ who is the Savior of the world and the savior of all. Reminding us that it is not our place to save this world. It is not all on us to magically fix all of the world’s problems and elevate ourselves to be greater than. No, we are servants of the servant. We follow in the ways of Christ. But we are not Christ, and we don’t need to be.
Each Gospel points to Christ in a different way and each Gospel helps us to find our next step in our spiritual journey and in participating in the work of the kingdom of God.
We don’t need to lift ourselves to be the greatest. We don’t need to do the most and be the best Christian this Advent season. Instead, we can follow in the ways of John the Witness and point to Christ so that all might see him and the path he has made for us.
Micah Krey 
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