"John Says It Tastes Like Chicken", by Pastor Kevin Lynch

I wonder if they used some form of that cliche 2,000 years ago.

"Here, try this honey covered locust. It tastes like chicken."

Seriously, it's what John the Baptist ate. He also dressed funny.

Mark 1:6 - "And John wore clothing woven of camel's hair and had a leather girdle around his loins and ate locusts and wild honey."

That's got to get people's attention.

I think that was his intention.

John came out of the desert communities. Jerusalem was a little bit more progressive of a city.

He didn't fit. He stuck out like a sore thumb.

But it wasn't all about how he looked or what he ate.

What really separated him from the rest was what he was saying.

Mark 1 - (7) "And he preached, saying, After me comes He Who is stronger (more powerful and more valiant) than I, the strap of Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to stoop down and unloose. (8) I have baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

That did it. In fact, more than visual extremes, it was more what John was saying that got their attention.

The same message still grabs attention today. Positive or negative, it will get people to take notice.

That message eventually got John into trouble.

One could say he "lost his head" over the gospel.

The Stronger, More Valiant, Baptizer with the Holy Spirit eventually lost His life too.

The message has been known to rally people to great hope, or cause some to go on a murderous persecution.

For those of us with the great hope we are not intimidated by the potential negative consequences.

"Keep your eyes upon the Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith", makes perfect sense when the Holy Spirit has a hold on you like He did on John.

Sometimes we will just make a plain fool out of ourselves for Jesus.

I've spent the better part of my life now being a fool for Jesus.

I have no regrets other than wishing I could have been a bigger fool.

Would you dare to be foolish?

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><