Open Mike 11 February 2008

Mark 1:1-13
11 February 2008

Here's an oft-repeated scenario in churches around the country. Guests come to service for the first time and are invited to introduce themselves to the congregation. Bashfully they rise slowly from their seats, prepared to give their names, their places of residence, and perhaps their church homes. And then they get the microphone. Suddenly what would have been a 15-second simple introduction becomes an extended testimony bordering on sermon as the opportunity to be seen and heard overcomes all shyness and propriety, proving again that some people simply can't handle an audience.

By the time we encounter him here in Mark 1, John the Baptist has developed quite a following. His voice echoes through the wilderness, amplified by his passion and sense of mission. His spectacle draws stadium-sized crowds from all over Judea and his message of repentance prompts them to submit to the waters of baptism. But Mark is clear that John is not the star of the show. This is after all "the beginning of the gospel [good news] of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (v.1). And no one is clearer about this reality than John himself. At the heart of his message is the assertion that a mightier voice with a greater message is on the way. The spectacle and gifts of John always point to the preeminence and spirit of Christ.

Each of us has gifts and talents that bring us to the attention of others. Perhaps our oratory will never fill the Wachovia Center, but even the most obscure person is the center of someone's show. We rise, sometimes bashfully, to the occasions when others look to us and hand us the microphone, either literally or figuratively. The spotlight is on us; this is our moment to be seen and heard. The chance is ours, either to arrogate glory for ourselves or to give glory to God. The test is to know what to do with the mike.

Sing "My Tribute"

Let us pray:
Mighty God, we give you thanks for the witness and example of John the Baptist, who when given an audience chose to divert attention from himself and point towards the Christ. Help us likewise to resist the temptation to give a self-centered performance in order to be seen and heard. May we maximize the opportunities through our relationships, gifts, talents, successes and even failures to magnify you and glory your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.