Advent 2025: Tue 2 Dec
Mark 1.4-5 The Messenger
4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptised by him in the River Jordan.
John had strong words to say to the people. They needed to confess their sins and get into a right relationship with God by turning away from the wrong things they had done or were still doing – we call this repenting. Repenting is more than apologising. To mark their repentance they were to come to John to be immersed by him (baptised) in the water of the river Jordan, signifying dying to their old life, and rising into forgiveness and a new life.
Under the Law, the religious way of life that God gave to Moses in the early days, the practice was simple – if you sinned you paid a fine, a penalty based on the nature of your misdeeds. Money, food offerings, animal sacrifices – every sin had its price. Once the price was paid you were forgiven – your account with God was cleared. It was a simple system that everyone understood it, whether they liked it or not. Pay up to clear the debt.
John, however, was offering a different way to forgiveness from God. This involved baptism – an act of acknowledgement of sin that would lead to forgiveness. It was clearly popular, as crowds came from far afield to where John was preaching. John did not mince his words. He was fearless in speaking truth to power. See how he responded to questions in Luke’s Gospel account.
How is forgiveness in Christ Jesus an improvement on John’s preaching and methods?
Father God, in Jesus you forgive all who repent. Even though I sometimes want to punish my shameful self, there is no cost, because your son Jesus paid the price, settling the Law’s demands through his death. Thank you for his life, his death and his resurrection. Amen.
This is a reworking of a chorale tune written by Martin Luther. The original words were written in Latin by Saint Ambrose. You can find the words and their translation here
Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672) – Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (Come now, Saviour of the heathen)
Paul