Maybe not a nut

I remember the first time I saw John the Baptist the 2nd’s truck on Broad Street. I thought, “What a nut!” But then I started putting our “2nd John’s” bold message in the context of that first John the Baptist. The Bible says: “John’s clothes were woven from camel hair, and he wore a leather belt; his food was locusts and wild honey… His message was, ‘Turn from your sins and turn to God, because the Kingdom of Heaven is near.’” (Matthew 3) The first “Baptist’s” mission and message was shocking and offensive to the community leaders of his day. It resulted in his persecution, imprisonment, and eventual execution. And yet Jesus Himself said, “Of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist.” (Matthew 11) I don’t believe John the Baptist the 2nd is too bold, dramatic, or direct. (His message is the same as that first John’s, proclaimed in the same attention-getting ways!) Maybe the ministry of modern Christians has become so cowardly, dull, and our lives looking no different from the non-Christians around us, that faithful folks like John just stand out... Keep up your dedicated work, John the Baptist the 2nd! Pastor Benjamin P. Willis, M.Div. Minister of the Word and Sacrament - Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)