The Baptism of the Lord

John the Baptist is regarded as the last and greatest of the prophets in the Mandean Faith and they view him as the only true Messiah. John is also regarded as a prophet in Christianity, the Bahai faith and Islam. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Baptism of the Lord by John is celebrated on the first Sunday after Epiphany Sunday.

In any list of the most inspirational figures of the 20th Century, the names of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela would have great prominence. These were figures who were widely held in high regard and commanded great loyalty from their followers.

However, despite their admirable personal qualities, if they had lived at a different time or in a different place, they would be unknown.

What made them inspirational was their courage in speaking out and ability to articulate that which people knew, in their heart of hearts, was right.

And that message inspired revolutionary movements that threatened the status quo and directly challenged authority.

Each of these individuals paid the price for speaking out. While Gandhi and King were assassinated, Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years.

However, despite the assassinations and imprisonment, the challenge to authority persisted as the strength of feeling of the people was fuelled by a deep sense of injustice.

And eventually, the states of the Indian sub continent gained independence from British rule, racial discrimination was made illegal in the United States and apartheid was abolished in South Africa.

Similarly, if there was any list of the most inspirational figures of the 1st Century, the name of John the Baptist would loom large.

This was a figure who was widely held in high regard and commanded great loyalty, even devotion, from his followers.

“... for everyone held that John was a real prophet” (Mk. ch. 11 vs. 33).

However, despite his undoubtedly admirable personal qualities, if he had lived at a different time or in a different place he would be unknown.

What made him inspirational was his courage in speaking out when no-one else would.

“It is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah:

Look, I am going to send my messenger before you:
he will prepare your way.
A voice cries in the wilderness:
Prepare a way for the Lord,
make his paths straight.

And so it was that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ” (Mk. ch. 1 vs. 2-4)

The message from John was an inspiration to others.....

“All Judaea and all the people of Jerusalem made their way to him and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins.” (Mk. ch. 1 vs. 5)

.. because it articulated that which people knew, in their heart of hearts, was right.

“It was at this time that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised in the Jordan by John. No sooner had he come up out of the water than he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit, like a dove, descending on him.
And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved, my favour rests on you”.
(Mk. ch. 1 vs. 9-11).

But the message was a challenge to the authority of the time.

“Now it was …. Herod who had sent to have John arrested, and had him chained up in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife whom he had married. For John had told Herod, 'It is against the law for you to have your brother's wife'.” (Mk. Ch 6 vs. 17-18).

And John paid the price for speaking out.

“So the king at once sent one of the bodyguard with orders to bring John's head. The man went off and beheaded him in prison” (Mk. ch. 6 vs. 27-28).

However, despite the arrest and execution, a movement was born as the strength of feeling of the people was fuelled by a deep sense of injustice.

“After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. 'The time has come' he said 'and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News'.” (Mk. ch. 1 vs.14-15).

And the challenge to authority persisted.

“...... King Herod had heard about him, since by now his name was well known.
Some were saying, 'John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him'. Others said, 'He is Elijah'; others again, 'He is a prophet, like the prophets we used to have'. But when Herod heard this he said, 'It is John whose head I have cut off; he has risen from the dead'.” (Mk. ch. 6 vs 14-16).

Throughout human history, there has been conflict. Black against white. Nation against nation. Religion against religion. Jew against gentile; conflict that is fuelled by a deep sense of injustice. Whenever, we see injustice, we shouldn't wait for the inspirational figure but we should speak out and act according to that which we know, in our heart of hearts, is right. For that is the voice of Divine Reason. That is the voice of Christ.

“Jesus and his disciples left for the villages round Caesarea Philippi. On the way he put this question to his disciples, 'Who do people say I am?” And they told him. 'John the Baptist,' they said 'others Elijah; others again, one of the prophets. ' But you,' he asked 'who do you say I am?' Peter spoke up and said to him, 'You are the Christ'. And he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone about him.” (Mk. ch. 8 vs. 27-30).

Dominick