Usually when I hear this passage, I think about the awesomeness of the power of prophesy. Not awesome in how I usually use the word to describe something “cool”, but awesome in the sense of causing awe. What power would it take to prophecy all of the things that are in the Bible? We know the power as God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. No matter how much I think of it, I am in awe.
Now, that is why this next thought is so interesting. When I read this passage this time around, that isn’t what I thought about. What came to mind first was two kids from Samuel Sunday School laughing and giggling about how John the Baptist ate locusts and honey and was covered in camel hair. Now at the time, I just appreciated the child-like innocence, but what I failed to realize - until now - was the profoundness of their reaction. It is funny. Funny in the sense that our bodies reaction to something we don’t understand is to laugh. I fully realize John’s world was truly different from my own, from our current world.
I always theoretically knew our worlds our different, but now I truly realize that. I don't know what it is like to live in the middle of a true dessert. I am grateful I am privileged and strive to help others who are not in the same position as me. The truly profound thing to me, is that although our worlds are nothing alike, I can still learn from the lessons John the Baptist teaches us. At the same time, I need to realize cultural and historical context. Some of the lessons were truly designed around a certain culture, and our culture is a whole new world. I am married to my husband. I walk around with more computing power in my pocket that some space missions. I work with people across the globe I have never met in person.
Here is to my new understanding of being able to learn from a person in camel hair while at the same time not rushing out to eat locusts. :)
