John The Baptist
by Simon Foulkes

'after me comes one you do not know' John 1.26

The locust is a bitter food without honey sweetness;
For years life was bitter—scorched, desert-ed
Nazirite eyes black pin-pricks of pain, waiting—
And taking ridicule. But I marked out a highway
In the spirit and power of Elijah.
I am not The one to Come. I am not the Prophet. I am not worthy.
I am not Messiah. I am Baptist.

Look! The lamb of God!
I baptise with water—but after me comes another,
He stands among you—visible but unseen,
Present but not noticed, unremarked, disregarded; the cloaked traveller.
You ask me who I am—ask who He is!
In the Isaiah words: 'Here is your God'
Here–is–your–God

I cry out
From the bitter food
But here is the honey
The sweetness of God
O Jerusalem, O lost and shattered city
City of dreams
Of stonings and defeat
Tenderly, sweetly,
Your work, your pain is done
Hard service finished
Sins deleted, paid for
Tenderly, sweetly,
Jerusalem—I am Baptist—
Here–is–your–God.

Prayer

O Lord,
kindle in us the fire of your Spirit
that when your Christ comes again
we may shine as lights before his face;
who is alive and reigns now and for ever.

"The Lord is gracious and compassionate"
(Ps 145.8) — Bridget Moses.