On Wednesday night, Pastor Keller and I were looking at the nativity scene on the altar. As far a nativity scenes go, I think this is a very nice one. The baby Jesus looks cute lying on straw in the manger. The lowly shepherds look happy to see the Savior. Mary and Joseph seem to be relieved and content as they gaze upon the Christ child. And the Wise men appear to be filled with excitement to see the King of kings.

I started thinking though, and I admit, that is not always wise for me to do. But I thought to myself, "Someone is missing from the picture." If the nativity scene is meant to get us ready for Christmas with its different statues, then someone has definitely been left out. Where is John the Baptist? Who is more important in Advent than him?

I can picture the little statue now - a wooly man with wild hair, wearing camels' hair clothes with a piece of locust wing stuck between his teeth and a little bit of honey dripping in his beard. He would have a staff in one hand and the other hand raised in the air like the old-time prophets. He would definitely have his mouth open as if he were yelling.

I have never seen a John the Baptist statue in a nativity scene. I am sure it is because the Bible doesn't mention John the Baptist being in Bethlehem the night Jesus was born. In fact, John was born only about 6 months before Jesus was. But I submit that it doesn't matter that John was not in Bethlehem. Because, I hate to break it to you, the beloved 3 Wise men were not in Bethlehem that night either. In fact, we have no idea if there were three Wise men. So I ask you, why do the Wise men get to be in the nativity scene and not John?

Our Advent questions continue this morning with a much more important question than that one. Our question is "Who is this guy in the desert and why is he yelling?"

Mark starts his inspired gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, with a snapshot of John the Baptist. In this quick glance, we are given a prophecy about the Baptizer from 700 years before. Isaiah proclaimed that God would send one who would call out in the desert, preparing the way for the Lord.

We also know that John was a Levite. He had ministry in his family. John was a PK - a priest's kid. John was a relative of Jesus. Their mothers were cousins. And just like Jesus, his birth was announced by the angel Gabriele. John was also a popular preacher. People came from all over and left the city of Jerusalem to hear his message.

John didn't cut his hair. He was fulfilling a vow just like Samson made in the Old Testament. It was true that he wore animal skins and his diet consisted of locusts and honey. It was true that he was not part of normal society but he preached from a desolate area. I don't think, however, that all of those things define John.

Who is this guy in the desert? Listen to Jesus describe him is Matthew 11:11, "I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist." John the Baptist was not some wild, cartoonish, crazy prophet screaming at people as they walked by his cave. Jesus said there was no other human being greater than John. That is high praise from the Savior.

And yet we see that mankind's best, John the Baptist, was not even good enough for God. People wondered if this prophet was the one who would take away the sins of the world. John would have no part of it. John proclaimed he was not worthy to even tie the sandals of the Messiah. John was a great prophet, but he was not the Savior.

So, who was this guy in the desert? John was the forerunner of Christ. He came first to prepare the way for Jesus. His mission was to prepare peoples' hearts for the arrival of the greatest gift ever given to the world, the very Son of God, Jesus Christ. John pointed the people to the Savior.

I think a great addition to every nativity would be a statue of a wooly prophet. He could be standing off to the side with an arm out pointing at the baby Jesus. It would be a great reminder for us every time we looked at one of these scenes to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of the Savior.

However, John was not just standing out in the wilderness pointing. Our Advent question is not only who is this guy in the desert, but it is also why is he yelling? He had his message from God.

People came from near and far to hear the prophet preach. His message was simple. John didn't analyze the crowd to find out what message the people wanted to hear. He didn't take a survey to find out what topics they wanted to listen to. John wasn't into telling the people how great they were or giving them a 5-step program to find out the purpose of their lives. John preached law and gospel. He confronted the people with their sins. He preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

People often talk about preachers who make their message relevant to the crowd. I have been advised by magazine articles, newspapers, websites, and many people to make sure I reach people where they are, to talk about things that people are interested in. Well I don't think I could have a better model than John Baptist. What is more relevant than pointing out that each and every one of is sinful?

Sin is the common bond that unites us all. If I want to preach a relative sermon that will reach all people, I will start with the message "Repent - you are sinner!" That is what John the Baptist did. "Repent, for the kingdom of God is near." The Lord is coming. Are you ready? Or are you content with your sins. This is so dangerous. If you let your guard down, the devil is willing to snatch you away so that you will spend all eternity in hell with him. Repent of your sins. Feel genuine sorrow for them.

John's message was a message of repentance. But it was also a message of forgiveness. He preached the law so that people would be convicted by sin and he preached the gospel so that people would have comfort in knowing that their sins were paid for. That is how to preach. Make sure people leave with the message that Christ has removed their guilt for all eternity.

John prepared the people for Christ's arrival. He pointed to Jesus. He preached about the Savior. It is my job to prepare you for Christ's arrival also. It is my job, as a pastor, to point you to Jesus Christ. It is my job to preach about the Savior.

What other purpose could I have? I am not a trained medical doctor. I am not a trained therapist or psychologist. I am not a trained motivational speaker. I am trained to point to Jesus Christ as John the Baptist did. Jesus is coming and you don't have to be afraid. He will judge the world, but you don't have to wonder. For Jesus Christ made himself the blameless sacrifice. He willingly died on that brutal cross with our sins heaped upon him. He made payment for our sins. We don't have to be afraid because Jesus has pleased the Heavenly Father for us.

And we don't have to wonder about our salvation in heaven because Jesus rose from the dead. He defeated Satan, and sin, and death. We have a pure victory. We have heaven - all because of Jesus Christ. That was the message that John was yelling in the desert and that is the message I give to you today.

If you any of you want to steal my idea for putting John the Baptist in the nativity scene, be my guest. Feel free to market it. I think it would be cool to have one more reminder of God's love in this beautiful picture. God, in his love, sent the Baptist to point forward to Jesus and to prepare hearts for his arrival. Now, whenever you see one of these scenes, think about the prophet's message. Hear the message and get yourself ready for the coming Lord. Amen.