This sermonette was preached at Lawrence Road Presbyterian Church on December 14, 2014. It was part of the church’s annual “Preach-athon.” In addition to my own, two other preachers also gave a message. As this was directed to be a shorter message, I wanted to try something new and experiment with its interpretation and delivery. The end result was a one-sided conversation with John the Baptist. It was delivered in the style of a dramatic monologue. This was intended to be a performance. The message is better understood if heard rather than read.
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John 1:6-8, 19-28 (NRSV)
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
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,’”
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’”
as the prophet Isaiah said.
24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?”26 John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27 the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” 28 This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
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Gather round, my friends, gather round!
Let us go down to the river to where John the Baptist speaks.
Let us go listen to his testimony, let us listen to his lies!
Gather round, gather round!
John! John the Baptist! We are here! We are here to listen! Tell us what good news you have for us today!
Who are we? You ask. We are the sons and daughters of Abraham. We are God’s chosen people.
But who are you, John? Who are you?
Are you the Messiah? Are you the prophet or Elijah?
Who are you?!
You’re the voice of the one calling out in the wilderness? Ha! Such a tiny voice for such great news!
Tell us. What does this voice of yours have to say?
Make straight the way of the Lord?
Oh John, We know the words of the Prophet Isaiah. But what are you trying to tell us?
We’re asking you to say something we haven’t heard yet for we have been in the dark for so long.
You say that you testify for this light? But you’re not the light itself? Then who is this light? And what will this bring us? Oh John. How confused you must be. You make no sense. Stop this, John. You’re embarrassing yourself. You have brought nothing to us. And now, we’re leaving. But John, one last question before we go, if you say you’re not the messiah, why do you insist on baptizing our brothers and sisters? It’s a wasted effort, and you are giving them a false sense of hope. Please, we ask you to stop this. We know you are trying to help, but this water isn’t enough. The very depths of our souls long for something else. There is a dryness that no water can quench. We are thirsty for something greater. We are desperate for a light in this darkness. And you’re not it. Day in and day out, we pray that we might be filled, but there’s still this emptiness within us. So John, if you’re not this light, why are we still waiting?
You see, we have been waiting for so long, that there’s this pressure building up inside of us. It’s becoming painful as we yearn for something greater. I don’t think we can hold on to this false hope anymore. We’re going to have to let it go unless you tell us something different. So we ask you one last time, why are we still waiting?
Because another one is coming after you? A man who is the very light of God – God’s one and only son? Because this light will baptize us with the Holy Spirit? Because he will give us almighty salvation and everlasting love? Because he is coming to save us? This cannot be! John, if what you say is true, we need to await his arrival! This is great news! Beautiful and wonderful news! John, you say you are not worthy to untie the sandals on his feet! Then we are not even worthy to be in his presence! John! We finally understand! You have been preparing us for his arrival! You are not the messiah or the prophet or Elijah, but you are a man sent from God. You are the witness to the light! Baptize us with water so that we will be baptized by God’s grace!
Friends, hear and believe the good news! Rejoice! Rejoice! For a savior is coming to us! A savior that will bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners! This savior will be a light shining in the darkness! Let us all be a witness to this light! Let us share this good news with others! Our strength has been restored; our patience has been renewed! We are here, right now in this moment, gathered round so that we might act as witnesses to the gospel! Rejoice my friends for God has looked down upon us in favor! God has called us to do something greater! The pressure is fading! The darkness is lifting! We have been filled with hope!
Friends, can you believe this?! Our Lord is coming to us. We need to be ready and waiting! And we need to prepare for his arrival! And we will do so in humble patience! Have hope, my friends, we have been saved! The day our savior comes is a day filled with glory! Rejoice! Rejoice!
John! Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for calling us down to the waters for we have received your message. Now it’s our turn to testify. From the highest of mountains to the lowest of valleys, we will proclaim the gospel!
The Word has been made flesh! The light shines in the darkness! Rejoice! A savior is coming to us! Amen!
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