What if the president were coming to your house today?
What sorts of preparations would you make? My house would definitely be in need of a deep clean after all my dirty clothes were picked up off the floor and all the dishes were loaded into the dishwasher. As the week wears on, things just tend to pile up. What were once empty spaces have often been filled with something. Things get strewn here and there. It’s a little bit of a mess because of me (and not because of my wife; I want to be clear.). If someone important were coming today, I’d have to clean up my house.
I might have to do some personal care too. A shave, clean clothes, and deodorant might be in order. I’d want to comb my hair and trim my beard. I’d also put on my best. Normally, I prefer to dress down, but if a king were coming, I’d wear my absolute best. I’d have to put myself together.
I think you probably get where this is going (and it has nothing to do with what you wear to church - you can wear whatever you want!). The hype man has come, and his name is John the Baptist. He has come to hype up his main man - and ours, too - Jesus! He has come, calling us to prepare for the main Man, the one who is truly God, the world's Savior.
What will you do as you prepare for him? Your house may need to be cleaned, but not the place you call home. Your spiritual house, that is, your heart, needs to be cleared of sin. Thankfully, the Spirit, through word and water, through bread and wine, through preaching and forgiving, takes care of that. He prepares you and your heart by giving you faith.
You are already ready to meet the King. The hype-man John has done that. The Spirit of God has done that. Rise up to meet him this Sunday in worship. This weekend, we’ll get to know the hype-man John and the Jesus whom he came to proclaim. We’re starting a walk into the Gospel of Mark. This week we’re looking at Mark 1:1-8. We’d love to have you.