Breaking the Word

When he had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?" Jesus said to them in reply, "I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. Where was John's baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?" They discussed this among themselves and said, "If we say 'Of heavenly origin,' he will say to us, 'Then why did you not believe him?' But if we say, 'Of human origin,' we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet."  So they said to Jesus in reply, "We do not know." He himself said to them, "Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.  (Mt 21:23-27)

Today, there is a lot of discussion on Baptism. People are confused as to which one is the correct one or the right one. The same situation arose at the time of Jesus. John the Baptist was baptizing in river Jordan. Jesus makes use of this situation to answer the question on the authority of his doings. People have began to accept that what he was doing was right but they were worried about the authority.

Regarding Baptism we have a reply from John the Baptist himself. He has said that he baptises the people with water but there is another one coming after him who will baptise with the Holy Spirit (Mk 1: 8). Baptism which Jesus gives does not dispute over water and the sort. They are only external signs but what is important is the baptism which Jesus gives.

People or those who want to have control over the others always worry about the activities of the others. Whatever work one does is questioned by the people who rule over people or want to rule over people. All what Jesus was doing was by the presence of the Father in him. He was doing godly works and naturally it was from above. Here the people in authority wanted to trap him.

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light… And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites (to him) to ask him, "Who are you?" he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, "I am not the Messiah."… He said: "I am 'the voice of one crying out in the desert, "Make straight the way of the Lord,"' as Isaiah the prophet said." Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie." This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. (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.