Finding Our Way. Joshua 5-6; John 1

May the mumbling commence!

How many times have you heard someone say that “God is on my side”?  Probably too many times to count.  It may have even come out of our own mouths at one time or another.  To say that God is on my side is to make a faulty statement.  Read from Joshua chapter five:

As Joshua approached the city of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man facing him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you friend or foe?" 

"Neither one," he replied. "I am commander of the Lord's army."

At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. "I am at your command," Joshua said. "What do you want your servant to do?" 

The commander of the Lord's army replied, "Take off your sandals, for this is holy ground." And Joshua did as he was told. (Verses 13-15)

The commander of the Lord’s army was neither friend nor foe of Israel.  The Lord was not on Israel’s side in the conquest of the Promised Land.  The people of Israel had found a way to be on the side of the Lord.  Yes, that is the more important question.  Am I on the Lord’s side?  It’s a question that we need to ask for day to day and from moment to moment.

When we seek to be on the Lord’s side, we stand on holy ground.  So, take off your shoes and show reverence to the Lord God Almighty. 

And, when the Lord decides to use you, be careful what titles you claim for yourself.  Read how John responded to the questions of the priests, as recorded in John chapter one:

This was the testimony of John when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John whether he claimed to be the Messiah.  He flatly denied it. "I am not the Messiah," he said. 

"Well then, who are you?" they asked. "Are you Elijah?"

"No," he replied.

"Are you the Prophet?"

"No." 

"Then who are you? Tell us, so we can give an answer to those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?" 

John replied in the words of Isaiah: "I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, 'Prepare a straight pathway for the Lord's coming!' " 

Then those who were sent by the Pharisees asked him, "If you aren't the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?" 

John told them, "I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not know, who will soon begin his ministry. I am not even worthy to be his slave."  This incident took place at Bethany, a village east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing. (Verses 19-28)

John did not claim the title of Messiah – that belonged to Jesus alone.  John did not claim to be a prophet.  John’s only claim was that he was a voice of one calling in the wilderness to prepare the way for the Lord.  John’s only function was to point the way to Jesus the Messiah.  And he reveled in that function.  May you and I revel in the function to in this Advent and Christmas season and throughout the year.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out