John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
As we continue to midrash with Mark, continue to let his story open our imaginations and awaken ideas about how these words are speaking, singing, swimming, and stirring in our lives early in 2020, we focus a few days ago on beginnings. Today we move to the image of wilderness. A couple of things about this passage~
Wilderness would awaken the truths from the book of Exodus, where Moses led the people out of slavery in Egypt into forty years of wandering.
Repentance isn't dripping and drenched in guilt for the original listeners. Repentance is about changing, intentionally and prayerfully, our lives. Repentance is closer to New Year's resolutions. But unlike resolutions that often focus on our own individual stuff, repentance says we have a responsibility in our relationships. So often God calls for repentance, or return, because the people of God were not doing justice, showing loving kindness, or walking humbly with God. They were not caring for the widow or orphan or allowing others to glean from their fields. They were clinging with tight fists to get theirs while the getting was good. To turn away from that is a turning toward God.
Baptism is about ritual baths in Jesus day. Within the Jewish to wash or cleanse oneself was woven into the faith. There were prayers that went with such washing that were powerful and profound ways to turn toward God.
John's clothing is an echo of the prophet Elijah who is said to return before the Messiah arrives.
So, with a few terms defined...let's midrash!
Where do you feel like you are wandering in the wilderness right now?? Eight days into the new year is there a place or a person or a situation where you read the words for wilderness popped into your mind/soul? Or tell a story about actually being in wilderness! Were there trees or desert or what did the place where you were wandering around look like, feel like, smell like?
Where do you sense that nudge to return to God? Not with your head hung low, but your heart surging toward the sacred.
Where might you long for some clarity of cleaning? Where do you feel like you are looking through a smudged or smeared window and can't see clearly? Or where do you long to tidy up the messy moments of life?
What is one way you can notice and name the traces of God's grace today?
May your midrash responses to this passage open you to God's presence and peace in these days.
Blessings ~~
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