In Jesus’ day, people were drawn to the beauty and sophistication of newly built Roman cities—places marked by flowing water, impressive architecture, and careful design. Yet the crowds who came to hear John the Baptist left all of that behind, traveling into the wilderness to stand in the muddy waters of the Jordan with a wild, unsettling prophet.
This reversal exposes a deeper spiritual pattern: human beings often mistake beauty for holiness. We assume that moving music, inspiring architecture, or breathtaking landscapes are the primary places where God is most present. But Scripture consistently tells another story. From the burning bush to the manger, from the wilderness prophets to the cross, God repeatedly shows up in the places that look unrefined, uncomfortable, or even ugly.
This week’s message invites reflection on how beauty can shape—and sometimes distort—our expectations of worship and religious experience. Beauty is a gift, but it is not the measure of God’s presence. God is just as present in life’s muddy, overlooked, and desecrated spaces.
