“Baptism: A Way to Prepare!,” Monologue of Person Baptized by John          December 6, 2009
Luke 3:  1–6                                                                                             The Rev. Dr. Beth Braxton

My name is Mahalath; in my old age I think I am finally living up to my name. It means “sweet or gracious.” I sure wasn’t sweet and gracious when I was younger! But I still sell cloth in the market as I did then; mostly muslin that I weave myself. Back then I always had rose colored cloths, and even some blue cloth with gold strands like this one I am wearing!

My husband’s name was Reuben; he was the rabbi in the local synagogue in Jericho where we lived. Note that I speak of him in the past tense; he divorced me–that has been twenty-some years ago now, but it is the story I want to tell you about today–the time around our divorce. It was so tumultuous and life changing in so many ways!

Reuben was always busy with teaching – he had two Torah classes of boys each day and then he met with the men of the synagogue in the evening and talked; they were always complaining about the Roman occupation and the taxes we had to pay to Rome. They complained about the apathy of the other men in the synagogue and that families were getting sloppy in celebrating the holy days. They speculated about whether the Messiah would come in their lifetime.

Me - I would finish my morning chores as fast as I could: wash the dishes, fetch more water from the well, shake out the sleeping mats, put beans in pot to soak, etc. I was always in a hurry to get to the market where there were people and things going on, where there were people to talk to and engage with.

I was a shrewd seller. I learned how to be quick with the hand so the eye could not see that I did not measure out the full amount the costumer asked for. I learned how to cover the bad spots with my hands as I showed off the material. I knew to whom I could ask a high price and I wouldn’t budge when some would try to bargain me down. I was aggressive and mean-spirited. I wanted to get as much as I could from them! I wanted to be rich. And I didn’t care how I got there.

I hated when this young girl kept coming around my stall; she was poor and could not afford my prices. But she longed for one of my blue clothes for her wedding dress. I was not about to let her steal it with the pence she had to give for it.

All the plain cloth I wove myself in the evenings, but the blues and special cloths–well they came from the caravan from the East. This caravan brought some of the most beautiful clothes anyone had ever seen. I wanted them badly, but couldn’t afford them. But I was savvy; I knew I could trade something. I asked the men how much they wanted; when I told them I did not have that much, they asked what else do you have to give they asked with that gleam in their eyes – I knew what they meant, but I did not know if I could do it.
Then my anger with Reuben flared up one night when he just complained that my meal was not good, that I stayed in the market too long–I flew out of the house. It was dark, but I made my way down to the caravan site–there was music, dancing and laughter; I sold myself that night ––that is how I got all the beautiful clothes! Each time they came to Jericho it got easier. I felt shame and at the same time justified – (Reuben never paid me any attention I was just a beast of burden to him. He was wrapped up in his Torah study.) Reuben never found out. He always thought I just needed long walks to let off steam.

Then one day there was buzz in the market about this prophet that was baptizing in the Jordan River. They said his name was John. There were always new self-proclaimed prophets coming around with the latest magic potion, but this one seemed different. I heard Reuben and the men of the synagogue talking about him. They were suspicious and curious all at the same time. They said that the next day they were planning to go to the river to see him. I know they never want the women to go with them, but I persuaded my friend Lydia to come with me and we followed Reuben and the others down toward the Jordan. It was amazing how many folks were going out to the river from all over; there was a kind of electricity in the air – sort of like on festival days.

The prophet was shouting, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is near.”

“Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight his paths.”

Change your ways; confess your sins, amend your ways, make ready for God’s Messiah.

His voice echoed down the valley of the river. Lydia and I stood back high on the banks, while Rueben and the other men from the synagogue went pretty near where he was preaching; then the prophet seemed to lash right at them with his words, even pointing his finger at them.

“You brood of vipers, who told you to run from the fury about to break over your heads; you have to re-shape your lives because a new order of the Spirit is coming. Don’t come down here saying you have Abraham as your father; God can make sons of Abraham out of these stones right here.” Wow, he was angry with them–Reuben and the men of the synagogue began walking away, and the prophet’s words were still directed at him and he walked away.

“Don’t pretend that you are righteous; there are widows going hungry, and the poor too weak to even cry for help. Cheating is going on in the markets and your families are full of deceit and lies! Change you ways. The Lord is coming soon.” “The axe is already laid to the root of the tree and any tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”–He shouted after them!

I could see Reuben walking away as fast as he could; his face was red with anger.

Then it was quiet in the river valley–I heard only the splash of water and soft words that were hard to make out as different people walked up to John and he baptized them. I stood there mesmerized; I did not realize I had been clutching Lydia’s arms. She too was stunned to silence. The goose bumps of guilt peppered my body as I heard John’s voice rise again. “Turn from your ways of selfishness and deceit; your greed hurts the poor and your apathy for the weak and the diseased perpetuates hopelessness and despair – the Lord, the Messiah is coming like the refiners fire, to burn out the impurities of your ways.”

Then again, it was quiet and only the sound of water as he poured the water over the heads of Jews and Gentiles alike. Yes, and I could see women as well as men being baptized. During this pause of quiet between his proclamation and his baptizing, my mind was racing and I was aware that Lydia and I were moving down closer to him. I began to hear his words “Receive the blessings of God”

“God forgives you and wants you to be clean.”

“Live as the child of God you were created to be.”

“Like Abraham, trust in the Lord and serve only him.”

“Give back what you have stolen.”

“Give your heart to God.”

“Baptism is the way to prepare for the Messiah’s coming.”

Then he moved once again to the waters edge and proclaimed:
“I baptize you with water for repentance but the one who is coming after me, I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire! His winnowing fork is in his hand; he is going to clear the threshing floor. The grain he will store in the barn and the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire!”

“Change your minds and open your hearts to God’s love. Be reconciled to each other.”

“Hate only hardens your heart.”

”Seek God’s love and forgiveness, confess your evil ways.”

“The Messiah is coming soon!” “Be prepared!”

My heart was pounding and my hands were sweaty; I felt this overwhelming desire to come clean. I let go of Lydia’s arm and moved right down to the water’s edge. John looked me straight in the eye; though a rough looking man, his gentle eyes pierced my heart.

“I have sinned, I squeaked out the words. He lifted a handful of water as I bowed my head in shame and he said, “Receive God’s blessings; God loves you.” I felt drowned in goodness; the golden sunlight that was getting low in the late afternoon sky blinded me for a moment, as if to say – “Gone–your sins are blotted out.”
Lydia and I walked home in silence; I felt so light; my heart was singing!

It was almost dark when I entered our home.

Rueben barked at me–“Where have you been?” I explained to him that I had been down to the Jordan to listen to the new prophet John, who was proclaiming that the Messiah was coming soon and that we needed to clean up our ways. (Of course I knew he knew what was going on, but I didn’t want him to know that I had followed him and saw him leave mad.) I told him I felt convicted of my sins and I was baptized by the prophet John.

You what?!! Reuben was furious; he is a charlatan! He is not a true prophet of God. He is not following the laws of Moses or calling people to obey those laws.” He raved on for a few minutes, then I said. Sit down I want to tell you something about me. I have been unfaithful to you. You know all that beautiful blue cloth – I sold myself to the caravan men to get it. I cheat folks in the market; not being fair. I am sorry for my ways. Please forgive me.

It was dead silence for a moment or what seemed like an hour then he said tersely, “Get out. Get out.” I should have you stoned, but just get out of my life.”

I left that night and went and stayed at Lydia’s house. That was twenty-six years ago now. It was less than a year after we heard the prophet John, that we encountered Jesus – and an unbelievable human being! He was truly the incarnation of love and integrity in all he said and did. I know he is God’s Messiah. His teaching and his stories were full of wisdom and new insights that could bring us all together. His healing power was miraculous. Several of us followed as we could, feeding him and his disciples as they taught in different towns. But I still did my weaving –remember the poor girl who wanted the blue cloth for her wedding. The day after my baptism, I gave it all to her except this piece. You should have see her joy! My joy too!

Jesus died only three years after he appeared; it was unbearable–it was a crucifixion, but as he said – he appeared to some of us after three days; I still have a hard time believing myself, but he told us to continue to speak good news of His love. A good number of us have been meeting together ever since. We get together at least once a week and tell his stories and talk about his teachings and write down his actions and sayings. He said he will come again; we are waiting. And as we wait, we are telling others;

to repent of their wrong doings

to open their hearts to God’s love

and to follow Jesus teachings.

When they come to our fellowship we do as John did, we baptize – we pour water on their heads as a sign of cleansing and a new beginning. Baptism is a good way to prepare as we wait his coming!