Every Sunday, a church broadcasts a one-hour service over the waves of 1450 WMIQ, the local radio station. It begins with this announcement, "From the shores of beautiful Crystal Lake, we bring you Our Saviour's morning service."
One Advent season, the pastor had selected an "in the sandals" sermon series. The first biblical character to be heard from was John the Baptist. As John entered clothed in the prophet's clothing, a reader announced: "Prepare the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight" (Luke 3:4b).
Recently, there had been some problems. Another station had been broadcasting over WMIQ's airwaves. As the character playing John introduced himself to the congregation, the words of a golden oldie spilled out, "Go, Johnny, go, go, go!" Laughter went up reminding those listening that God has a sense of humor. He seemed to be saying, "Go, Johnny, go, go, go! Go out and tell the world that Jesus is coming; he's coming soon!" "Heeeeeeere's Johnny," Ed McMahon used to announce as Johnny Carson came on stage to the applause of his television audience. Late night talk show hosts like Jay Leno, David Letterman, or Conan O'Brian can never replace the famed Johnny Carson or the man who prepared Johnny's way, Ed McMahon. "Heeeeeeere's Johnny!" On cue, the star of The Tonight Show entered, taking his place center stage. When the applause died down, Johnny assumed the starring role, and Ed McMahon's role decreased.
Jesus came onto the world's stage to unveil the greatest story of love the world would ever witness. While he was yet in the wings, there was one out front preparing the audience for his entrance, John, the son of Zechariah. As Jesus stepped forward to assume the major role in the drama already prepared for him, John, the supporting actor in this drama, cried out, "Here's the one you've been expecting ... the one I've been talking about ... the one who will take away the sin of the world" (John 1:29 cf). God had told John that he would see the Spirit come down from heaven and rest on a man.
In chapter 1 of the apostle John's gospel we hear confirmation of this event. He wrote, "I have seen this happen, and I tell you the truth: This man is the Son of God" (John 1:34 NCV).
And so, the end of Act One. In the first scene of Act Two, John the Baptist reappears. The audience sees Jesus passing by and hears John say to two of his disciples, "Look, the Lamb of God." The two disciples heard John and without looking back at their teacher followed Jesus, God's Lamb. Why? Because that's what John wanted them to do. He knew the script. Jesus was selecting his cast of twelve, whose roles in life would never be the same.
Disciple one, Andrew, knew what he had to do. He ran to tell his brother about his encounter.
"Simon, Simon ... come and see! We've found the one John told us would come — the Lamb of God, the Messiah — the Christ. John baptized him yesterday, and when we saw him today and heard what John said about him, we left John and followed him. He invited us to the place where he was staying. Simon, we spent the whole day with him. There's no question in my mind — the one they call Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah! Come and see for yourself." And he brought his brother to Jesus.
But Andrew didn't have to do any introductions. Jesus simply looked at his brother and said, " ‘You are Simon, son of John. You are to be called Cephas' (which is translated Peter)" (John 1:42).
John first appeared on stage as a rugged man, dressed in the prophet's wardrobe of camel's hair and a leather belt. His speech was direct and confronting. Luke tells us that God's word came to John in the wilderness. John was convinced he had been called by God — not merely to reflect the moods and opinions of his time — but to speak the truth imparted to him by God. In his wilderness preparation, he prayed and meditated on his role. The word of God became forged into his very being, molding him into a fiery and dramatic figure that attracted crowds. When Jesus entered on cue, John was content to lower himself and to let Jesus take the higher place.
John the Baptist had a very important role to play in the first part of the story. With a booming voice, he fearlessly cried out to the crowds, "Repent! Turn from your sin and be baptized." Jesus was now stepping forward to assume the major role he had been chosen for. John had always known he was not the star of this unfolding drama. Jesus had top billing. But John's lines had been vital in the presentation. He was there to announce, "Here's Jesus! The Lamb of God, the one who takes away the sin of the world."
John realized that his role was about to come to an end. He had confronted too many, alienating the self-righteous, and the religious leaders of the day. He had condemned corrupt and ruthless political leaders such as Herod the Great, whom he rebuked for having taken his brother's wife. John never compromised his words, but a new act was to begin. The Son of God was on the move.
Act Three finds Jesus speaking about John to his attentive audience:
What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you." I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. — Luke 7:24b-28
John, the messenger who prepared the way for Jesus, had fulfilled his God-given role. Yet Jesus tells us that in the kingdom of God all who came after John would have greater spiritual understanding because they would see the end of the drama: the purpose of Jesus' death and resurrection. Advent — a time to prepare our hearts for Jesus' second coming. We will see the heavens open and Jesus appearing as a warrior on a white horse.
John saw Jesus, God's perfect Lamb, the one who would be a sacrifice for our sins. John died before he saw that Lamb return as a conquering king, bringing judgment on those refusing to acknowledge him as Lord and Savior.
In the last chapter of the Bible, in the book of Revelation, we find the battle lines drawn. We engage in a round of applause as the curtain drops. But we know there will be a curtain call. The stage is set. Are you ready to call out, "Come, Lord Jesus, come!"
There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see "the Son of Man coming in a cloud" with power and glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption draws near! — Luke 21:25-28
Guess what? We are now the current cast of this long-running drama, the cast that announces to those who have ears to hear, "Here's Jesus! King of kings and Lord of lords! The star of the greatest show on earth!" Amen.