The Daily SUMMER - Day One

In the years just before Jesus arrives in Bethlehem, people can feel like big change is imminent. Something in their spirit is telling them to pay attention and they are waking up to new realities and taking notice of the Spirit’s leading. Spirit-summer is upon them. Some decide to follow a new teacher and leader named John, and they ask to be baptized by him to signal the change of heart. The other religious leaders pick up on this too:

John is an outsider
And he is attracting crowds (their crowds)
So they send their men out
To talk to John and question him:

(People in power will always notice when something new emerges that might be a threat to their status)

The men ask John:
What are you, a prophet? Who are you, Elijah?

And John says:

I am the voice of one
Calling in the wilderness:
Make straight the way for the Lord.

John is a preparer. He makes people ready to experience change and to recognize Jesus. To do this he invites them out - out into the wilderness, out of their everyday lives, and he helps them see that something more is coming, something better, and he teaches them how to recognize it.

Summer is here
And John is the tour guide.

Lord, I want to experience You, so lead me outaAnd baptize me in love. Amen