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)

Probably there were many who pretended themselves to be the Messiah. People also were carried away by these who appear as leaders of the people. And this is the reason John the Baptist also asks Jesus whether he was one or should we look for another. John the Baptist is looking for credentials and he is looking for it from Jesus himself.

Jesus does not give any proof for his identity as the Messiah except his own activities. His actions speak for themselves. His activities are healing and giving sight to the blind and casting out demons. It is more of making the man complete and whole.

Jesus indirectly tells John the Baptist that the works of the Messiah is to make or help man to be totally human. Man when he was created by God he was totally human but because of his sin man lost his humanity and the effect of it is all what he suffered. The work of the Messiah is to make man a ‘new creation’. 

"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)

“What is your opinion?” is the way by which Jesus makes his listeners to think and decide for themselves. Jesus respects the freedom of the individual. He is not a person who has come with pre-concluded answers. He has the right conclusions and answers but he does not force them on to his listeners. His stories and parables are only to make them think for themselves.

The two sons in the parable are the samples of people and their reaction to obedience. There are people who say no but at the end oblige; and there are also people who say yes but do not oblige. I wonder why Jesus did not speak about people who say yes and yet oblige. Yes Jesus wanted to communicate a particular message and he has said this story to make his message acceptable.

Tax collectors and prostitutes enter the kingdom. Their ways of life seem to suggest that are disobedient (externally in the observance of the law) yet they are open to God and ready to receive the kingdom. Openness to God and his kingdom are more important.