I’m waiting for an appointment with a dermatologist. Though it’s probably more than any reader of this blog wishes to know, I’ve got a little pencil-eraser-size scab on my forehead that hasn’t healed up in about five weeks. This past month I’ve been so focused on recovering from minor surgery for another issue that I haven’t paid much attention to other parts of my body. Now I’m seeing the warning.
It’s unexpected. Though I’m definitely fair-skinned and sunburn easily, I regularly wear a hat for outdoor activity and use lots of sunscreen. I have for years. So I’m surprised at the warning sign that I may have some mild form of skin cancer.
Warnings that something is wrong with us are often unexpected. Most of us go along thinking that all is well, physically, morally and spiritually. A surprising pain or unexpected rebuke from a friend or family member may produce outrage and the desire to continue in our illusions that we have no problems either in our bodies or in our souls.
The prelude to Jesus’ unexpected first arrival was the unexpected warning of John the Baptist to repent and turn back to God. That’s our text this Sunday from Matthew 3:1-11. John comes calling for people to get themselves straightened out in anticipation of Jesus’ appearance. Many take his warning to heart, but it is deemed outrageous and unnecessary by the religious establishment. They are confident in their ancestry, their spiritual pedigree as descendants of Abraham.
John helps us see that even those who have nothing apparently wrong with them need a warning. No one is naturally born righteous; just the opposite. We are all sinners in need of repentance and the grace of the One John was preparing for. That’s true of us as Christians too.
Maybe the discord, pain and division between Christians in the aftermath of the election is another unexpected warning we need to heed. It’s time to repent and get right with God and with each other. And for that to happen we desperately need to prepare by turning to Jesus who came and is to come. We have been warned.