pronouncements, and rugged truth. Such was John the Baptist. Conviction as fierce as the desert sun. Until now. Now the sun is blocked. Now his courage wanes. Now the clouds come. And now, as he faces death, he doesn’t raise a fist of victory; he raises only a question. His final act is not a proclamation of courage, but a confession of confusion: “Find out if Jesus is the Son of God or not.” The forerunner of the Messiah is afraid of failure. Find out if I’ve told the truth. Find out if I’ve sent
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