Ol’ Johnny had the very disconcerting habit of standing in a busy city street, pointing his index finger at passers-by and shouting ‘Guilty’!‘ or  ‘I know your secret!’
Some people thought this was funny, others were annoyed but most people’s reaction was:  embarrassment, and a quick departure.

He may have been just ‘another mentally or emotionally disturbed street person’ but the truth is, deep down, we all have something to hide, something we need to repent of. Who could bear it if our lowest, meanest acts were made public? Who indeed?

With John the Baptist, the great prophet of Advent, there was no beating around the bush. His accusations were honed in his rough and searching life in the Judean desert, an unforgiving place of self examination and little defence. In the desert there are no ‘mights, ifs, or buts – only ‘in your face’ facts. Either you face them, repent and change direction, or you’ll have to pay the piper eventually!

It is true, John the Baptist was is not exactly someone you would invite to your Christmas party. Yet Jerusalem, Judaea and the whole Jordan district made their way to him at the Jordan River to share his frightening catch call:.
                    ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord.
                  The Lord is very near.’
With his right arm and his right index finger firmly pointing to Jesus shouted:
                             ‘He is the chosen One, the Lamb of God’. ‘Follow him’.

Guess what?: Many did, but many others didn’t!

Come Lord Jesus

…Andre Paul