Mark 1:6
Duck
Dynasty has been in the news lately. The A&E network’s most successful
cable program drawing over 11 million viewers is about a family who has
conservative values. They are also about a family that has made millions of
dollars, but the money hasn’t changed their values. They still value family and
God. Do they look like what we expect to have achieved the American Dream, or
do we expect something very different from their appearance?
I
think the show highlights a very strange character telling us about Truth. We
expect preachers to be dressed in three piece suits, standing in front of a choir.
We expect someone telling us about the fundamentals of the universe to be
standing at a podium in a university. We expect to be told how to live life
from a self-help guru selling their books and DVD set during their seminar at a
swanky hotel. We don’t expect bearded guys with guns and camouflage clothing to
be announcing that there is sin that we all have to deal with and that God has
provided THE way to deal with in it Jesus. These don’t meet our expectations.
Have
you read our text for today? John the Baptist is a pretty strange character.
Even for his day, his clothing is a little out of the ordinary. Of course the
things mentioned match perfectly with a person living in a deserted place, a
desert climate away from other people. These would have been the things
available to him. His life is in line with the fact that he was a Nazirite
(Luke 1:15), a lifestyle that was characterized by simple living, dedication to
God and solitude.
His
manner of dress also brings to mind the clothing that Elijah wore (2 King 1:8).
Elijah was perhaps one of the best known prophets of the Old Testament. Perhaps
Mark wants to make the connection with Elijah in the minds of his readers by
mentioning this similarity. Part of the promise about John’s ministry was that
he would be like Elijah in spirit and power. His life would have a tremendous,
long lasting impact on God’s people. So it was with John.
The
belt was not like a western leather belt sold at JC Penney. Their belts often
were more like a fanny pack or money belt, able to hold some simple things. It
also served to give a place for the long flowing garment to be tucked in case
you needed to run quickly in an emergency. You would simply reach between your
legs, grab the back hem of your garment and pull it up and tuck it into the
belt. This gathered all the extra material, making it easy to move without
getting tangled in the extra material.
John’s
diet was a normal diet for someone living in the wilderness. Remember there is
no refrigeration, no WalMart, no Giant. Many people around the world still eat
locusts as part of their normal diet. They contain a large amount of protein
and contain fatty acids and minerals essential to healthy living. They are
often roasted, and sometimes just eaten fresh. I can see your squirms. We don’t
like the idea of eating insects, but in some parts of the world they are a
delicacy. I wonder if John dipped his locust in his wild honey? The first
dipping sauce?
One
thing I learn from this verse is that outward appearances and lifestyle don’t
necessarily disqualify someone from God’s mission. Sometimes God uses very
unusual people and circumstances as a means to getting His message out. We
don’t have to fit the world’s mold. In fact, we shouldn’t try to fit the mold
(one of the big downfalls of the Western church). God might even call us to
something very unusual. Don’t be surprised when it happens.