Lent journey. Following the fourth Wiseman

Think of the story of the fourth Wiseman. The one who did not get there in time. He never saw Jesus as a child. He never got to give his present. He got there in time to stand at the foot of the cross. Sometimes, just because you are lost, does not mean you are out of God’s will or plan.

This set of weeks leading up to Easter we are going to take a little creative licence and join the fourth Wiseman. We will be with him as he hears and learns about each pinnacle event and as he tries so hard to finally meet his Messiah.

Beginning:

The sound of the breeze through the sand as it whispers across the shoreline. Our traveler has walked many miles in search of the King. The years have stretched. His clothes have worn. His body and his camel have grown tired. Yet as he draws water for the animal to drink, probably for the hundredth time since his journey began, following a star and finding an empty stable, he hears a whisper.
“Have you heard what he is saying?” One woman asks.
“He’s probably crazy.” Another answers.
A pause. “But what if he isn’t?”
Our traveler turns and wonders if he should break the social norm and ask them what they mean. Then he hears a cry, loud and piercing. The women shake their heads and he knows this cry has something to do with their conversation. He leads his camel through the deserted streets and finds a small huddle around an oasis. There in the water stands a man, water streaming from him, eyes full of fire and laughter. He is baptizing people. But not in the way or name that our traveler has heard before. No. He is using a new authority, and at the sound of the name Our traveler shivers with excitement.
John 1:19-23 ESV
[19] And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” [20] He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” [21] And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” [22] So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” [23] He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
And so it begins. John was the voice crying in the wilderness as he prepared people to receive Jesus. God had previously ordained John for this time and purpose. When Jesus’s ministry began, people were already starting to feel it coming, the knowledge that the Messiah was on His way and was not as far off as people thought previously. Not every ear would hear. Not every heart was ready. But many who heard believed and were ready for Jesus to come.