Across the Pastor’s Desk

By the Rev. Don Rose, Mansfield and United Lutheran Churches

“Who are you?” This is the question addressed to John, whom we know as the Baptist, by the representatives of the authorities in Jerusalem as recorded in the Gospel according to St. John. One can almost hear the disdain with which the question is asked. “Just who do you think that you are, stirring up the people and causing trouble as you are? Who are you?” In this season of waiting, waiting not just to celebrate Christ’s birth, but also waiting for the Savior to appear again, it is good for us to note John’s response and to see it as an example for us as well.

Though John began by telling those who asked who he was not, he was at the same time very clear about who he was. He was not the promised one. He was not a prophet of old returned or raised from the dead. He was not present to begin a new world religion or to become famous in his own right. John clearly understood that it was his purpose to announce and to point to another who was greater and more powerful than he was.

Are we as clear in our understanding of who we are in these days? If we are faithful to the opportunities set before us the world will be asking us as well, “Who are you?” “Why do you do what you do? Why do you seem to swim against the stream of general public desire and opinion?” If we are not being asked, then we might want to question ourselves regarding our own faithfulness to the mission that has been entrusted to us. If we are being asked, how clear can we be in our response?

All too often modern day believers find themselves too conformed to this world and its powers as to be ineffective in their witness to God’s saving grace in Jesus the Christ. Like John, we do not bring salvation. Like John we are called to point to another. We are called to not get in the way of those whom God would reach with God’s saving word of love and grace.

Instead of pointing to the Incarnate One, many today are busy pointing at themselves, unclear of who they are and unclear about whom God is for the sake of the whole world. God does not need our protection. God needs our loving witness that others might come to know what has been so freely offered for all. Use the remainder of this Advent season, a season of waiting and preparation to think about your answer to the question, “Who are you?”