Vow - by Bec Bonython

The Flourish Connect Group has just started working our way through the Gospel of Mark.  Last week we ventured into chapter 1 and came across John the Baptist.  A man who (Mark 1:6) “wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.”

The bible hardly ever describes what people wear or what they eat, rather it tends to focus on what the message is and why. So why is Mark giving us some seemingly unnecessary detail?

To provide some background – John the Baptist took a Nazarite vow, and he was dedicated this way from birth (Luke 1:15). This vow meant he abstained from all products of the grape (wine, fruit – fresh or dried) (Num 6:3, 4), did not cut their hair (Num6:5) and abstained from coming near dead bodies (Num 6:6). Consequently, John’s life was completely devoted to the Lord.      

These details of his clothes and what he ate provides the backdrop to describe his dedication to the Lord. He chose to live not like the others around him. He lived in the desert, and the clothes (similar to those used by a prophet) and food he ate symbolise the fact he was standing against the current culture of the day.

·         John 15:19 says “if you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”

·         Romans 12:2 says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

In our own lives, we need to constantly be on our guard to make sure the world doesn’t dictate how we live our lives.  We need to not get pressured into having the right fashion, hair, car, suburb, status, school, dining habits etc… the world will suck us in and take every ounce of us, if we let it. This leads to comparing with each other…..and comparing will always eat us alive!  Instead, we must learn to live in the world, but not of the world.

God wants our whole heart and our life – that’s it – NOTHING ELSE MATTERS.  Because as we surrender our heart and life, everything else falls into place – our decision making, our friends, our habits, our lifestyle.  John the Baptist shows us that we don’t have to be rich, have status, drive a Lamborghini, or live in a mansion or eat anything other than locusts :) for God to use us. God will use anyone who is willing to dedicate their heart and lives in completed surrender to Him.

Can I encourage you reflect on John 15:19 and Romans 12:2 and seek God.