May 26
When the ministry of John began, the nation was in a state of excitement and discontent verging on revolution. At the removal of Archelaus, Judea had been brought directly under the control of Rome. The tyranny and extortion of the Roman governors, and their determined efforts to introduce the heathen symbols and customs, kindled revolt, which had been quenched in the blood of thousands of the bravest of Israel. All this intensified the national hatred against Rome, and increased the longing to be freed from her power.
Desire of Ages, page 105 from the chapter, 'The voice in the wilderness'
We are just recovering from the recent elections to find us new MEP’s. I was listening at lunchtime to a retiring banker who forecast rising interest rates through the year. The big film at the moment follows the X men series. The mutants, I assume, are trying to protect themselves. All around us there is confusion and trouble. We would love to escape and might be prepared to fight, metaphorically, for our own future if threatened.
John the Baptist entered ministry at just such a time and found a people looking for their own country to be returned to them.
We would then be correct in assuming that as we read about John’s life we might understand that his approach might be something we might emulate to reach people in need around us. I know nothing about country music but even I have heard of George Jones, one of the greats of that genre of music. The song that Bryn has chosen is ‘Me and Jesus’. Click on the picture to see the video and hear the song.
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