GOSPEL READING :Jn 1:6-8,19-28
People were expecting a Messiah. People knew well how he would come and what he would do. He would be a king from the house of David of course. He would overthrow all injustice and rule over Israel. People were wonderstruck with the work he was doing. They almost thought that he was the expected one. But John was very clear and sure that he was not the one.
Was he Elijah? The Prophet Malachi declared that God would send Elijah the Prophet to prepare the people before the great and terrible day of the Lord. (4: 5). We know well that Elijah had purified the people on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 19). He directed the people to believe in one true God. Later he was taken up to heaven. So it was believed that he would come back again and prepare the people. He denied that as well.
Was he a prophet? In Deuteronomy 18:15-18 God promised to raise a prophet Like Moses to lead the people. People expected someone to come and settle the mess that was in Israel and lead the people. He denied that as well. Like this there were many expectations. He accepted that he was only a voice that has come to prepare the way of the Lord. (Is 40: 1-8) “I am only a voice”: this is his humility and his true greatness.
மக்களின் எதிர்பார்ப்பு: மீட்பர், இறைவாக்கினர், எலியா. (மாலக்கி 4:5 1அரசர் 19 இனைச்சட்டம 18:15-18). திருமுழுக்கு யோவானின் பதில்: நான் ஒரு குரல் (எசாயா 40:1-8)
