Opening Act
19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" 20 He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah." 21 And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No." 22 Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" 23 He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,'" as the prophet Isaiah said. (John 1:19-23)
Who are you? That's the question the trippy cheshire cat asks Alice in the book "Alice in Wonderland". That's the question we each must ask ourselves as we jouney through the Advent season, toward the gift of God with us. John the baptizer understood both who he was and who he was not. He was the opening act, not the star of the show. His job was to prepare hearts and minds for the One who would heal, deliver and redeem. John knew that he might not see the fruit of his labor, but he trusted that his labor was not in vain.
We live in this Tik Toc, Instagram, YouTube influencer, era where everyone seems to want to be the star of their own show. The one with the most subscribers or followers wins. But, wins what exactly? The truth is, even if we have a platform and use it for good and for God, we are still just the opening act. We are here to love like Christ loved so that people will want to know the God we serve. We are pointing the way to the One who healed, delivered and redeemed us, that others might experience that same liberation. May we be content to take center stage only to introduce the Star of the show.
1 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion-- to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory. 4 They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. (Isaiah 61:1-4)
