The popular talent show called “The Voice” is designed to raise-up budding singers to become the next musical artist that will rise to fame on the music charts. These artists are given trainers who provide them with the needed refinement needed to elevate them to superstar status. They are adorned with clothes that ooze success, and their voice reaches incredible heights in volume and pitch that draw in the audience so much that they are completely locked into what they are singing. Cheers, clapping, and standing ovations often follow after each contestant has proclaimed their message through song. At this point, many in the audience would do anything to hear more from their favorite Voice. After the performance, three judges offer their complimentary opinion and any criticisms are designed to help them reach even higher levels.

Not so with “The Voice” that we hear about in this week’s gospel lesson. John the Baptist is “The Voice” that we will hear this week. While he was also destined for greatness even before he was born, John the Baptist certainly didn’t have an outfit that cried out success, and most certainly didn’t have an adoring crowd chanting his name and giving him standing ovations along the Jordan River. However, people where interested in who he was, but unlike the talent show, they weren’t interested in giving him encouragement. The message of “The Voice” called upon people to change their behavior and change their minds in order to get ready for the true Rising Star. People don’t like to change. People don’t like to be told to change either. But the change that “The Voice” is crying out in the wilderness, is just as important for us, as it was for those who came out to see him on his stage. Checkout “The Voice” this weekend at Immanuel. Maybe you’ll find yourself wanting to hear more.