Reflection - John

By Steve Hall

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010921.cfm
1 John 5:14-21
John 3:22-30

John the Baptist - what do we know of him?

He was the infant who leapt in his mother, Elizabeth’s, womb at the time of Mary’s visitation to her cousin. Accordingly, we know that he was about six months older than Jesus. From the Gospel of Luke we also know that he was foretold to play an important role in preparing the people for the coming Messiah.

“He will go before him in the spirit and power of Eli'jah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." (Luke 1:16-17)

We also can determine from Luke’s information that John began preaching about the year 29 AD; and that, when he came on the scene, his clothing and lifestyle reflected that of the prophets of Old Testament Times. His message also echoed that of the prophets: Repent and prepare the way of the Lord. John died at the order of King Herod; and it was subsequent to this that Jesus began his public ministry.

During his lifetime, John probably had a greater following than did Jesus. We know that disciples of John were found in both Alexandria in Egypt and Ephesus in Asia Minor months after Jesus’ Ascension.

“And he [Paul] said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said, "No, we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's baptism." (Acts 19:2-3)

While men had come forward claiming to be the Messiah during the period of Roman occupation, none of them or any others of note had been viewed by the public or the Jewish leadership as a prophet. In fact, it had been four hundred years since a prophet had last preached in Judah. Consequently, John brought New hope to a downtrodden people.

John was held in such high esteem among the Jewish people that all of the Gospel writers felt it necessary to explain John’s place in the saving work of God. This they did by citing both John’s own words and the Scriptures that foretold of the precursor to the Messiah. Jesus Himself would acknowledge that “ .. . among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist . . . .” (Matthew 11:11)

At this time in the Church’s Liturgical Year we hear a lot about John. For that reason, among others, it is worth reflecting more carefully on this man, his mission and his message. Doing so by examining the perceived mission of both John and Jesus should assist us in this endeavor. There’s an old saying that if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck then it must be a duck. Well, John looked like a prophet, talked like a prophet, dressed like a prophet and engaged the populace like a prophet, so. . . . Yes, John the Baptizer was everything the people expected a prophet to be; and his message was not new, but very old, going all the way back to an event at Mt Sinai. Only the symbol he used, that of baptizing in water, was somewhat new. But then, all the former prophets had their own personal idiosyncrasies, particularly in the way they presented their message. The old ways, the traditional ways were not difficult to accept as both authentic and as applicable to one’s self. Even John’s harsh words to the Pharisees and Sadducees, while insulting, were still in accord with traditional prophetic teaching. After all, everyone needs to repent. As a result, what challenges John had from those in authority were inconsequential.

John’s mission was clearly stated; he was to “ . . . make ready for the Lord a people prepared." But here we have to ask a couple questions. What were the people to be prepared for? and How were the people to be prepared?

John’s mission was clearly not one that was to be an end in itself. When and if it was accomplished it would be to set the stage for what was to follow. His job, then, was to ‘set the stage.’ To accomplish his task John called the people to repentance, something they had been called to do from time immemorial. Sometimes that necessitated directing their attention to what they needed to repent from.

Jesus, on the other hand, brought something new. Repentance was not even a significant part of his message. There were occasions where he pointed to the necessity of repentance if people were to receive his words. But the message he brought was different from that of John and was spoken with authority and seemingly with power: the Kingdom of God is upon you; it is now; it has arrived. Come into the Kingdom. Jesus’ message was that it was time to take the next step.

There is a sobering interconnectedness between the message that each man brought. John’s call to repentance is an ancient one. It can easily be found within the Judea-Christian community throughout every age. We will soon hear it again as the Church moves into the time of Lent. However, we tend to interpret repentance as a feeling; and to repent is thought to mean ‘to bemoan,’ ‘to deplore,’ ‘to lament’ or ‘to regret.’ John would have expected more of those who came to him; in fact, he was quite specific: “Bear fruit that befits repentance.” The action John was calling for was simple: follow the Law. It should be evident that the reason for John’s expectation was and still is simple. Those guilty feelings which prompted our repentance will soon dissipate and we will return to our former ways if we do nothing to embrace the light in our living. It’s not enough to turn toward the light; we must walk in the light.

Now with Jesus we find a different story. "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose." (Luke 4:43) The need to repent did occasionally come up in his teaching, but there was an underlying expectation that John’s mission had been accomplished. Now, for the next step: Live in the Kingdom!

The path to doing so is outlined for us in the Sermon on the Mount.

• Reconcile with your brother before offering your gift.
  
• Do not entertain in your thoughts what you know to be wrong in action.
  
• Give to the one who asks, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.
  
• Love your enemies.
  
• Pray for those who persecute you.
  
• Do not seek praise for your almsgiving.
  
• Do not parade your prayer life before others.
  
• Do not worry about your life, what you will eat, what you will wear. Trust.
  
• Ask - it will be given.
  
• Knock - the door will open.
  

At one point in his ministry Jesus is challenged by the Jewish elders. In response he asks: Which is easier to say, ‘your sins are forgiven, or stand up and walk?’ In a slightly different context the question is posed to us. Which is the more difficult to accomplish? ‘Repent and your sins will be forgiven!’ or ‘Stand up and walk in the Kingdom!’

We know we need to repent. We know our sin will be forgiven. Can we also take the next step, a giant step at that, and live, breathe, walk in the Kingdom?