Is this the One?

After Luke 3:1-22 

They hear the words

searing their hearts.

Their experience

the simplicity of

the words turning

their hearts. They

ask the obvious:

is this the One?

 

They ask, they feel

his gaze on them.

I am not, he says.

I baptize with water;

he will baptize with

the spirit. 

He is mightier than I;

I am not worthy 

to untie his sandals.

He will baptize 

with fire,

his winnowing fork

in his hand, cleaning 

the threshing floor,

gathering the crop,

bringing the wheat

into his barn,

the chaff to be burned.

 

Photograph by Dyu-Ha via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Some Sunday Readings

 

From Scotland to the Ends of the Earth – John Ross at Desiring God.

 

The Problems with So Much More: A Critique and an Apology – Botkin Sisters.

 

Reflections on Steve Larson’s Latest Book – Mark Jones at Reformation 21.

 

Why Does Life Seem to Move Faster as We Get Older? – Brad Hambrick.

 

The Mercy of God When Formulas Fail – Kirsten Black at Gospel-Centered Discipleship.

The voice in the wilderness

After Luke 3:1-22 

The prophet appears

in the wilderness,

crying in the wilderness,

his message simple:

Prepare.

Prepare the way

of the Lord. 

The salvation

of the Lord

is at hand.

 

The crowds heard,

they came, bringing

themselves to be

baptized, like

Gentiles becoming

Jews. Did they expect

to hear themselves

called a vipers’ brood,

hypocrites, incompetent,

objects of wrath?

 

Bear fruit, he says.

Heritage and blood

mean nothing. Taking

refuge in Abraham

is futile. Repent,

you brood of vipers.

Repent!

 

Photograph by Annie Spratt via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Some Sunday Readings

 

Perfect Sabbath --- poem by Cody Ilardo at Power & Glory.

 

Christ Delights in Work Well Done – Ryan Dembeck at Desiring God.

Fourteen years

After Galatians 2:1-10 

Fourteen years,

a time to prepare.

Fourteen years,

a time to reflect.

Fourteen years,

a time to study

and pray and be

taught.

The time passed,

the time arrived,

the time to begin

what one is called

to do, a new life,

a ministry, a purpose

anticipating change,

movement, travel,

hardship, misunderstanding

and persecution,

and accepting it

because it was a call

to be answered.

The man had learned

much after fourteen

years.

 

Photograph by S Migaj via Unsplash. Use with permission.