Dearest e-votees-
John the Baptist is, again, front and center in the gospel lesson for this Sunday.
Will Jesus' words about John accomplish what he intended?
Peace,
Karl
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John the Baptist is, again, front and center in the gospel lesson for this Sunday.
Will Jesus' words about John accomplish what he intended?
Peace,
Karl
----------
2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Matthew 3:1-12, NRSV
Jesus says "And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me." Why would we take offense at Jesus? He came to heal the blind, to cure the lame, to cleanse the lepers, to restore hearing, to raise the dead and to bring good news to the poor. How would we take offense at that?
In order to heal one who is deaf and blind there seems to be a need for them to be aware of their perceptive deficits. To restore hearing and sight means that we might need to acknowledge that we can't hear or see so well. Just try to persuade someone who is losing their visual or audio acuity and you will experience the old Adam and the old Eve: "I can hear just fine, why is everybody mumbling?" or "Who turned down the lights?" We don't like having our perceptions challenged.
In order to cure the lame there needs to be some acknowledgment that they aren't walking the right way. We aren't too keen on being told our walk is off.
In order to cure someone who is unclean there needs to be a come-to-Jesus moment where the dirt is laid bare. We aren't so inclined to be shown to be dirty.
To raise the dead involves the death being called out. The parts of us that think we are still alive and well take issue with being called dead. We cling to our so-called life.
To bring good news to the poor may well involve bringing some sobering news to the rich. We don't like having the current distribution of wealth challenged. Status quo is just fine with us.
Bottom line: In order to have our way prepared to receive Jesus we might need to find out how least in the kingdom of heaven are we. The preparing of the soil involves tilling and turning. We take offense when we think we are already there. Or at least not as needy as that one over there (cue up the pharisee and the tax collector in the Temple). Truth is we are as needy as they come. God is coming for us and John helps prepare the way by speaking truth. Will we hear it or will we be too busy taking offense?
God, offend us that we may be made well. Amen.
7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written,
who will prepare your way before you.’
In order to heal one who is deaf and blind there seems to be a need for them to be aware of their perceptive deficits. To restore hearing and sight means that we might need to acknowledge that we can't hear or see so well. Just try to persuade someone who is losing their visual or audio acuity and you will experience the old Adam and the old Eve: "I can hear just fine, why is everybody mumbling?" or "Who turned down the lights?" We don't like having our perceptions challenged.
In order to cure the lame there needs to be some acknowledgment that they aren't walking the right way. We aren't too keen on being told our walk is off.
In order to cure someone who is unclean there needs to be a come-to-Jesus moment where the dirt is laid bare. We aren't so inclined to be shown to be dirty.
To raise the dead involves the death being called out. The parts of us that think we are still alive and well take issue with being called dead. We cling to our so-called life.
To bring good news to the poor may well involve bringing some sobering news to the rich. We don't like having the current distribution of wealth challenged. Status quo is just fine with us.
Bottom line: In order to have our way prepared to receive Jesus we might need to find out how least in the kingdom of heaven are we. The preparing of the soil involves tilling and turning. We take offense when we think we are already there. Or at least not as needy as that one over there (cue up the pharisee and the tax collector in the Temple). Truth is we are as needy as they come. God is coming for us and John helps prepare the way by speaking truth. Will we hear it or will we be too busy taking offense?
God, offend us that we may be made well. Amen.
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