Summer Events

Posted on June 24, 2024 by Philip E Jenks
Unknown's avatar

About Philip E Jenks

Philip, a synodical deacon in the ELCA Metropolitan New York synod, is a retired communicator for American Baptist Churches USA, the U.S. Conference for the World Council of Churches, the U.S. National Council of Churches, and two Philadelphia area daily newspapers. He and his spouse, the Rev. Dr. Martha M. Cruz, are the parents of six adults and are members of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rye Brook, N.Y. They live in Port Chester, N.Y.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

1 Response to Summer Events

  1. anfearfaire's avatar La voz de la razón says:
    June 24, 2024 at 5:41 pm

    Some of my random thoughts on John the Baptist.

    A life parallel to King Saul. Annointed by the Lord to be king of Israel he is filled with the Spirit and is prophesying with the prophets (1 Samuel 10).

    Saul’s life from this point proceeds on a downward trajectory.

    Similarly, John the Baptist while still in the womb of Elizabeth, and Mary pregnant with Jesus, “recognizes” the Christ and leaps for joy.

    Some 30 years later the word of God came to John in the wilderness, and he proceeds to fulfill Isaiah 40. His mission is to preach repentance and herald the coming Savior.

    Upon baptizing Jesus, he proclaims him the Paschal Lamb of God.

    It is here thing begin to go awry in the life of John.

    Instead of being an “Advance Man” for Jesus and encouraging his own disciples to now follow Jesus; he continues with his own independent ministry.

    John, still in his early thirties seems to be afflicted with some memory loss questioning whether Jesus is indeed “The One” (Matthew 11:2).

    He forgets that his mission is to preach repentance and proclaim Jesus the Messiah and feels it is his job to be judge and jury of King Herod’s infractions of the Law (this was the responsibility of the Pharisees to make judgements on the Mosaic and Traditional Law).

    John lost his mind and subsequently literally lost his head.

    Paul, on the other hand, is an example of a life continuing upward with increasingly greater faith.

    These men are examples to us believers.

    John the Baptist is a warning to those who have had a miraculous, earth-shattering, coming to faith moment in life and then get so caught up in job, family, earthly cares, and daily activities that the once bright light (Matthew 11:14) becomes a mere glowing wick of a candle which has been extinguished.

    Random thoughts of a brother in Christ

    Frank Verni

    Reply

Leave a reply to La voz de la razón Cancel reply