Breaking the Word

The disciples of John told him about all these things. John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" When the men came to him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?'" At that time he cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits; he also granted sight to many who were blind. And he said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me."  (Lk 7:18-23)

 

 

The people have already reflected on who John was. He was not Elijah, he was one of the prophets and he was only a voice in the desert asking the people to prepare way of the Lord. John had declared his identity in front of the people. Through this passage the author is trying tell the people from Jesus’ own mouth who he was. So the disciples of John came and asked him who he was.

 

The questions that were raised clearly give us a clue as to what area we are in with regard to our discussion. We are in the area of discussing the identity of Jesus and at the same time the question is as regards who the messiah was. John had clearly denied it and he has openly declared that he had come only to prepare the way of the one who was mightier than he was.

 

The preaching and the doings of Jesus clearly presented who Jesus was. (Same way the identity of John was clearly represented in the clothing and the preaching and the doings.) People expected a messiah who was different from Jesus was. Jesus has said clearly that this was the messiah that he has come to reveal. John has sent disciples to confirm this image of messiah to his disciples and the public.

"What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not,' but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir,' but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?" They answered, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.  (Mt 21:28-32)

 

 

These days’ readings are taken in such a way we are assisted to reflect upon John the Baptist. There is always some link with the person of John the Baptist. John the Baptist came into the world to prepare the way of the Lord. In fact he was sent by God (there was a man called John who was sent from God – Jn 1:6). John testified to him and cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.'" (Jn 1:15)

 

The prime duty of John was to bear witness. He bore witness to Jesus saying that Jesus was with God and Jesus was greater than him and John was not worthy even to bend down to untie his shoes. In bearing witness to Jesus, John realizes his own self and his relationship with him. He accepts in reality and in humility that he is only the voice in the wilderness.

 

Those who believed in the preaching of John and repented form their sinful ways and turned towards God are in the kingdom. It is not the status of the person or the position of the person which is important rather it the repentant heart and the following of God is that which gives entry into the kingdom.