Word to the Wise
Thursday, December 13, 2012 - 2nd Week of Advent - Thurs
[Isa 41:13-20 and Matt 11:11-15]Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
The role of John the Baptist in the story of Jesus in the gospels is carefully crafted to make sure that he is not confused with Jesus! He was about the same age as Jesus and, according to the Gospel of Luke, was related to him. The gospels clearly imply that Jesus was a follower of John the Baptist and there is no doubt that Jesus received the kind of baptism that John was practicing. However, the messenger (John) was not to be confused with the message (Jesus) which John himself declared: "I am unworthy to untie his sandal...." Therefore, those who receive the message and believe in it and act on it are greater. John would be exalted by Jesus but not above the Kingdom of heaven!
Those of us who have been introduced to a life-saving reality may be forever grateful to the one who showed us the way, but we know the difference. It might, however, be very helpful spiritually to ask ourselves about the "John the Baptist's" in our lives. Who has served that prophetic role for us and pointed to something that would make all the difference? Is there someone, for example, who is brave enough to point to the nativity scene instead of the Christmas tree and say "THAT is more important?" Could that "someone" be us? AMEN
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