Coming Out of Obscurity
In his message for the first Sunday in Lent, Pastor Jack Trautwein of Epiphany Lutheran Church talks about the fact that life is full of surprises. Consider Amanda Gorman who in the past few weeks has been propelled from relative obscurity to national prominence when she became the youngest poet to perform at a Presidential Inauguration. In her poem, she incorporated words of hope. In her short 22 years of life she has become quite well known. It is interesting to look at the life of Jesus. An obscure 29-year-old at the prime of his career as a carpenter. Jesus had not gained any notoriety for his trade. He was not married which was the norm of the day. He was not looked upon as someone who would lead Israel or be a threat to the establishment. John the Baptist completed his mission in preparing the people, laying the foundation with his message of repentance and baptism. John was preparing the people for the kingdom of God was at hand. Jesus went to John and was baptized in the river Jordan. John recognized Jesus as the fulfillment of his mission. Jesus coming out of obscurity was the biggest surprise ever perpetuated upon mankind – beginning his path to the cross. This is the first Sunday of Lent and we too must come out of obscurity to let our witness shine forth with a radiance of joy and knowledge of the resurrection to come.