Third Sunday of Advent

John 1:6-8;19-28

Witness for the Messiah: Preparing the Way

Introduction:

On this third Sunday in Advent, we again turn our attention to a remarkable figure: John the Baptist. The people wondered who John the Baptist was. He appeared as a rather strange person who came from the wilderness, preaching repentance, dressed in camel's hair, surviving on a diet of locust and wild honey. John the Baptist was the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ. Yet his message of good news seemed as strange as his attire.

He claimed he was called by God to testify to the Light, he was not the light. The true light that was coming into the world would enlighten everyone (John 1:6-9). John stands at the beginning of the New Testament, bridging the old and the new, calling people to prepare their hearts for the coming of the Lord. His message was a call to repentance and renewal. He was tasked with making straight the path for the One who was to come. Today, let us rediscover the timeless message of John the Baptist, a message that is as powerful as it was over two thousand years ago.

I. LIVE AS A WITNESS FOR THE MESSIAH (John 1:6-8)

The Apostle John in his Gospel introduces a key figure in the Advent narrative: “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light” (John 1:6-8 NRSV). This scripture passage does a great job of describing John the Baptist's mission. He was chosen and ordained by God to be a messenger of the light, not to be the source of light but a witness to the Light – the Messiah.

I live in rural Kentucky in Laurel County just off Route 80 about 8 miles from 192. I must confess I hate driving at night. Driving the rural country roads where I now live are very different from the roads in the suburbs of Cincinnati where I grew up. When I lived in the suburbs, the roads I traveled between my house and a friend’s home, or the streets I took to go to church, or a store were always lined with streetlights. Not so with roads out here. When I am driving to an unfamiliar location, I rely heavily on Google Maps to get me where I need to be. However, when it is dark, I would never drive without my headlights on no matter how good the map’s directions are. Even a perfect map would do me no good if I didn’t have lights to show me where the turns are, where the dangers are. Light is a good thing—it exposes the dangers around us that we need to avoid, it shows us where we are headed. Light makes things clearer.

This Light that John spoke about, however, is not a mere physical phenomenon but a spiritual illumination – Jesus Christ.  The Light of the World. “4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” John 1:4–5.

Jesus is not just another human prophet or teacher who dies; He is the incarnation of God, He is Emmanuel – God with us. His presence, His love, His truth. He came into a world stuck in a muddy mire of darkness and sin. He came to offer hope, to show the way, to bring life to the lifeless. This is the Light that overcomes darkness, bringing clarity to our confusion, peace to our turmoil, and direction to our wandering.

Now, how does this work out in us, in our time, in our lives? The mission of John the Baptist is extended to each of us. We are not to be the source of wisdom or salvation – that's Christ's role. However, we are called, like John, to be witnesses of Christ’s Light. Our task is to point towards Him, to reflect His light in how we live, speak, and interact with others.

In our day-to-day walk of life, working, and living in our communities, we can reflect the light of Christ by living lives of integrity, compassion, and love. Christ calls us to forgive and extend a helping hand.  We are testifying to the Light when we speak words of kindness and encouragement. In a world often filled with despair and discouragement we are to be like lighthouses pointing to Jesus. Our lives can be a testimony that leads others to believe, not in us, but in the One we follow – Jesus Christ.

As we continue in this Advent season, let us light reaffirm our commitment to be witnesses for the Messiah. May His love, grace, and truth shine through us, to displace the darkness and guide others in the path of salvation and real life in Him alone.

II. LIVE A LIFE OF HUMILITY (John 1:19-23)

“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,’”

as the prophet Isaiah said.

As we continue in the Gospel, we see a profound moment of self-awareness and humility in John the Baptist’s life. When questioned by the priests and Levites about his identity, he declared in John 1:20 “I am not the Messiah.” And when they pressed further, he proclaimed, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” as the prophet Isaiah said. (John 1:20, 23). Here, John distinguishes himself from Christ. He is a voice, but Jesus is the Word. This distinction is critical: John is the herald, the messenger, but Jesus is the message, the eternal Word made flesh.

This humility of John the Baptist while admirable, it is much more than that. It is a foundational principle for our lives and witness. John knew his role was not to draw attention to himself but to prepare the way for someone greater. Self-promotion is often the norm in modern culture, but John’s example calls us to live a counterculture life. As Christians we are not to be the center of attention but to direct people’s attention to Jesus Christ. We are to live a life of humility. We are to be a sermon walking.

One of the best stories of humility is that of a man who arrived in 1953 at the Chicago railroad station to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. He stepped off the train, a tall man with bushy hair and a big mustache. As the cameras flashed and city officials approached with hands outstretched to meet him, he thanked them politely. Then he asked to be excused for a minute. He walked through the crowd to the side of an elderly black woman struggling with two large suitcases. He picked them up, smiled, and escorted her to the bus, helped her get on, and wished her a safe journey. Then Albert Schweitzer turned to the crowd and apologized for keeping them waiting. It is reported that one member of the reception committee told a reporter, “That’s the first time I ever saw a sermon walking.”[1]

The question is are we acting as humble messengers pointing to Christ? Are we a walking sermon? Are we directing people to Jesus?  In our service, our teaching, our daily interaction with others what is the center of attention? Beginning this Advent, let's embrace the humility exemplified by John the Baptist, remembering that we are voices in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord, making His paths straight in our hearts and in our world.

III. LIVE WITH HOPEFUL EXPECTATION (John 1:24-27)

“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.”

As we examine this portion of Scripture, we find ourselves in a deep, profound sense of expectation. It was a time of great anticipation for the people of Israel living in Palestine. They were waiting for the promised Messiah. This expectation wasn't just a passive hope; it was a fervent, active yearning for a savior who would deliver them from their struggles and lead them into a new era of peace and righteousness. The common people of Palestine yearned for a Messiah to rescue them, but so did the religious leaders of the time. Even though it had been nearly 400 years since God had spoken through a prophet, they were vigilant, constantly on the lookout for any sign of the promised one.

When John the Baptist appeared, baptizing, and preaching in the wilderness, it naturally stirred curiosity and speculation. Could he be the one? Representatives of the religious leaders and priests asked John, "Who are you? Are you the Messiah?" But John's response was a testament to his understanding of his role in God's grand plan. He emphatically denied being the Christ, saying, "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal" (John 1:26-27). This statement from John was profound. He was clear, he was not the Messiah. He knew his calling was to point to the Messiah.

John's understanding of his purpose is a powerful example of humility and submission to God’s call. He was not there to fulfill the people’s expectations, which would have been tempting. He was there to prepare them for Jesus. Only Jesus would truly fulfill all prophecies and expectations of the people. His ministry was about directing the gaze of the people away from himself and towards Jesus, the true Messiah. In doing so, John exemplified what it means to be a servant of God – to elevate God's plan above personal recognition.

Let's bring this back to us in this season of Advent. Advent is not just a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus; it is also a period to recharge our hope in His coming into our lives again and again. It’s a time to let fuel our anticipation for Christ's return. Reflect on the significance of His presence in our world today. We are called to be like John the Baptist in our places of influence by pointing others to Christ, the source of our hope and salvation.

I would like to challenge us to examine our own hearts with these questions:

1.    Are the world's expectations the source of our motivations, or are we living in the transforming presence of the glorious hope of Christ's presence?

2.    Are we pointing the way for Christ to come to our hearts, our homes, and our communities? 

This Advent, we need to accept our role of being angels. Yes angels! The New Testament Greek word for messenger is "angelos" – angels.  Our role as angels is like John’s, we are to be preparing the way for the Lord, making His paths straight. We need to demonstrate God's grace and share the hope, peace, love, and joy that comes from knowing Christ.

We are waiting for his return and our lives should draw people to Jesus – the true hope and salvation.

IV. BE DILIGENT IN PREPARATION (John 1:26-28)

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.

In John 1:26-28, we are drawn into the heart of John the Baptist's ministry: preparing the way for Christ. "I baptize with water," John said, this was his role in God’s plan. While this act was a physical and a ritual act; it was also profoundly a spiritual undertaking. John's baptism was a symbol of spiritual cleansing, repenting from old ways, and being ready to embrace the coming of the Messiah.

The concept of preparation is central to understanding John's ministry. He was called to prepare the people, to make them ready for the arrival of Jesus. This preparation involved more than just hearing his message; it required a response, a change in heart and mind. John's baptism in the Jordan River was a public declaration of this inward transformation. It represented a desire to leave behind the old life of sin and to start anew, in anticipation of the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit.

Today, as we celebrate Advent, this theme of preparation takes on a special significance. We are reminded that preparing for Christ is an ongoing process, one that encompasses every aspect of our lives. How do we, in our time, prepare for the Lord? It begins with repentance – acknowledging our need for God's grace and turning away from those things that separate us from Him. It involves something more than a casual reading of God's word.  We need to dig deep into the Bible and let it shape us - our thoughts, actions, and attitudes.

Moreover, preparing is about making room for Jesus in our very being. We must aggressively declutter our spiritual lives – set aside the distractions, the anxieties, the things that occupy our daily lives – to focus on the true reason for the season. It means cultivating an attitude of expectation, being alert to the ways God is working in and around us.

Daily we must practice the discipline of prayer, seeking to align our will with God's. We should demonstrate unsolicited acts of kindness and generosity. We should reflect His light in how we live, speak, and interact with others. We should participate in community worship and fellowship where we can draw strength and encouragement.

In this Advent season, let’s embrace the call to prepare the way for the Lord as John the Baptist accepted that call. We must prepare our hearts for His continuing presence in our lives. May Advent be a time of renewed faith, a deepening of our love, and an energizing of hope as we wait for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

Conclusion

As I close this message let’s reflect on what we can learn from John the Baptist's life and ministry. First, we learned about Live as a Witness for the Messiah. As a witness, John's role was to point others to Christ as is ours. As a witness, we are to shine the light of Jesus in our world. Second, we are to Live a Life of Humility. John's self-awareness of who he was in relation to Jesus and his intentional redirection of focus from himself to Christ. Humility in our Christian walk is important. Third, Live with Hopeful Expectations. We are to live with anticipation of and be always ready for the Messiah and the hope that Advent brings. Finally, we are to Be Diligent in Preparation: just as John’s calling was to prepare the way for Jesus, we too are called to prepare our hearts and lives for Jesus.

In this season of Advent, let us embrace these themes—Witness, Humility, Expectation, and Preparation. Let them not be just good ideas, but may they be active, living parts of all our daily lives.

Amen

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