“Turning Around“, by Rev. Mike Holly
Sermon Series: Path to the Empty Tomb
Just ask any traveler who has realized that they have been going the wrong way for too long how they feel about turning around. It’s a pain. But think about a traveler who knows they are going in the wrong direction but neglects turning around. They increasingly distance themselves from where they need to be.
That is what we as human beings face in our lives. We chase after things that are not holy. Things that are not what God wants for us. We go in the wrong direction (taking care of our own lives rather than to give our lives over to God and care for others). Jesus calls us to repent — to turn around and join him.
What do you need to turn away from? We have an opportunity today as we read these words of Jesus. We have an opportunity to choose for ourselves: is Jesus’ way worth turning around for?
~Mike Holly
The Word
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
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