Pointing to Christ - Advent 3B Sermon

John 1:6-8, 19-28

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”  And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.”  “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you?  Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”  He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” as the prophet Isaiah said.  Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.  They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water.  Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.”  This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

Listen to the sermon here.

There is a famous altar painting, called the Isenheim Altar piece.  It was painted by Matthias Grunnewald in the 1516 just prior to the reformation event.  It is currently on display in museum in France.  The altar painting has several layers that open and close, each layer has  distinct panels that display different saints or festival occasions.  But when all the panels are in their primary location, we can see the most famous of the various images.  

In the middle is a painting of Jesus hanging on a cross.  To Jesus’ right is a depiction of Mary, the mother of Jesus  fainting into the arms of John, the beloved disciple.  And famously, to the left of Jesus, is a depiction of John the Baptist, JTB pointing to Christ. To be clear, John’s presence at the crucifixion is purely symbolic in this painting since he was beheaded prior to Jesus’ death.  It is symbolic because John the Baptist is regarded as the final prophet to announce the arrival of the Messiah.  

One of my beloved seminary professors always referred to this image as the bony finger.  

John is pointing to Christ with what many refer to as “the bony finger.”  His finger is longer than normal and bent in an almost impossible way.   And between his pointing and his body is a Latin inscription inscription taken from John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

This painting of John the baptist pointing to Christ is what the Gospel narrative is all about.

This is our second encounter with JTB, John the Baptist this Advent season.  Last week, you may recall Mark’s more familiar version of a wild man clothed with camel’s hair eating locust and wild honey.  This wild man appeared in the woods crying out with a loud voice, prepare the way of the Lord.  John was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.

That familiar portrayal of John the Baptist is supported by both Matthew and Luke, in fact.

And we tend to associate JTB with baptizing, making straight paths, preparing the way for one who is stronger than he.  John, who baptizes with water.  John, who calls for all people to confess their sins and be baptized.  Wild man, locusts, honey, and camel hair.

However, today’s Gospel account makes no mention of any of theses things.  We are introduced to a man, John.  Just John, who is welcomed without descriptions or qualification.  John, a man sent by God as a witness to testify. The author is clear to emphasize that John’s primary role is as a witness to testify.   To point to the one who is coming after him, to point to the light, to point the bony finger to the one among them they do not yet know, the messiah.

This is an important understanding of John the Baptist in John’s gospel account because everything is intentionally focused on Jesus.  From the description of JTB, to his answers for the Pharisees, he is selfless.  Focused purely on Christ.  He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. ⁸He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

When questioned by the authorities Who are you!? John is direct to say.  I am not the Messiah. “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.”  Finally they said “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” as the prophet Isaiah said.   .

What is significant about JTB in this account is that he consistently speaks with regards to who Jesus is.  He seems to only answer in terms of who Christ is.  To their direct questions, are you Elijah or a prophet, he simply says “no.”  He gives no further information regarding himself.  But when the opportunity arises to speak about the Messiah he recalls the prophets of old and points the bony finger towards Jesus.

John is only able to answer the Pharisees questions of identiy insofar as his identity is tied up in who Jesus is.  We might say, John is...because Jesus is.  John has a voice and an audience only because the arrival of the Messiah.  John goes on to say, “there is one among you who you do not know.”  One who is the light, one who is much greater than I.  So great, that I am unworthy to even untie the thong of his sandal, a job for the lowest of servant. John points to the Messiah. The bony finger points to the one who must increase.  John’s whole purpose and presence in this passage is to get out of the way, redirect their attention, and point to the one who is, The Messiah, the lamb of God, the light that shines in the darkness.  To point the bony finger.

Advent, as we understand it in the church is a season that points us back to Jesus.  Whether we need redirecting or not, Advent points us to the one who is to come.  The one who is stronger, who is the light.  The Messiah.  And today JTB is the one pointing.  Decreasing himself and pointing to the one in whom we are given our identity.  Always pointing to Jesus.

I know that might sound like a trivial thought for Advent, but just a short moment of self-reflection or retrospection might reveal to us the many directions in which we are being pointed in the world.  

Especially during Advent and the holidays.  Where is your attention and focus this season?  In what direction are you being pointed?  Are you misguided by earthly temptations?  Has Jesus Christ, in whom we are given our very identity, taken a back-seat to a misguided adventure?  

That’s precisely where today’s gospel speaks.  John, a man sent by God came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.  To point us back to Christ.  To draw us in.  Spark intrigue and curiosity.  Remind us to whom we belong and find our being.  

I am reminded of this image...the bony finger pointing to Christ...during preschool chapel.  Every time the answer to my question is Jesus all the kids will point as hard as they can to the Jesus above the altar.  Without even realizing it, each one of those precious little children representing the kingdom of God, they become incredible theologians and point to Jesus.  They model John the Baptist’s  posture and point to Christ.  Without even realizing it they become some of the most faithful witnesses I’ve ever met.  Pointing to Jesus.

So dear brothers and sisters…I must ask, “Are we pointing to Jesus?”  Are we being the bony finger in the world?  In this advent season, in this time of preparation and expectant waiting, are we pointing to Jesus?  Are we in all things pointing to the light, the one who is much stronger that us, the messiah?  Are decreasing and allowing Christ to increase.  Are we serving as witnesses…testifying to the light?

In this season of anticipation consumed by fingertip knowledge and instant gratification, are we pointing to Christ?  Are we pointing to the one in whom we wait the one who waits patiently on us.  

The one who in an instant became human to live among us.  Share in our joy and sorrow.

In this season anxiousness, consumed by public debate, political unrest, self-interest, and uncertainty, are we pointing to Christ.  Are we pointing to Christ alone, our certain help in time of need.  

Christ the one who calms our storms and lifts us from troubled waters.  Christ who forgives those who act for selfishly, knowing not what they do.

In this season of hope, consumed with poverty, homelessness, and exclusion are we point to Christ?  

Are we pointing to the one who offers hope.  The one he came to being but was without a home, the one refuged to Egypt for fear of his life, the one persecuted and beaten because he challenged authority and acted counter to cultural expectations.  

Are we pointing to the inclusive Christ, who ate with sinners, tax collectors, and outcast members of society.  Are we pointing, like John, to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus for all sins for all people.  In a time of conflict, a world desperate for a symbol of hope, are we as Christians pointing to the one and only who saves. Are pointing to Christ. 

Now to be clear, I want you to hear me say that it is not my intention to imply that you or I or we are not pointing to Christ.  Rather my hope is that a new light is sparked with in your.  That you are ignited in a new way.  Experiencing hope in a different way.

Friends, the good news is that no matter whether we are always pointing vehemently to Christ, whether we are led astray by the temptations of the world, or whether we are just too darn defeated to point or be pointed, The Messiah still comes.  

The lamb of God still enters the world to take away the sin of the world.  The light still shines in the darkness...and the darkness will not, can not overcome it.  God promised a Messiah, and regardless of ourselves, God keeps God’s promise.

  

Karl Bart wrote, “all of theology is in that single, bony, finger.”

Our reminder this Advent, and our call everyday is to take every opportunity as an opportunity to point the bony finger.  Point to Christ.  The challenge is  pointing so much so that when asked who we are, we cannot help but answer in a way that ties our identity to who Christ is?  We are because Christ is.  Baptized in the waters we cannot help but raise a bony finger pointing to Christ.  Pointing to the Messiah

© Pastor Daniel Locke Dec. 17, 2017 @ St. Mark's Lutheran Church Jacksonville, FL