Advent 3 (3)
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Matthew 11:2-10 (NIV)
2 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" 4 Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 6 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." 7 As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: "'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
How certain are you about what you believe? There was probably a time in our lives when we were 100 percent sure about some of the more imaginative stories associated with Christmas. As time went on you began to realize some inconsistencies and began to question certain aspects of them. You came to realize that not everything you believed about them were indeed true . . . because they aren’t.
But have you been uncertain about what you believe to be true that is indeed true? There are people who believed that man has walked on the moon. But then they listened to conspiracy theories about it and doubted that this really happened. But with enough investigation and confirmation they realized that man really has walked on the moon.
If you have every had doubts about what you believed to be true, then you can relate to John the Baptist’s question he sent to Jesus. What makes this event so troubling is that we have a man who was very convincing and instrumental in revealing who Jesus is that we may wonder how he himself could ask such a question. What we have to realize is that no one is immune from the attacks of doubt and uncertainty. However, Jesus’ answer would not only convince John that he is who he says he is, his answer can give us reassurance whenever we doubt the truthfulness of God’s Word.
Context: Matthew 14:1–5 (NIV)
1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” 3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.
Antipas was the son of Herod the Great by his wife Malthace, one of Herod’s nine surviving simultaneous wives. He and his brother (Herod) Archelaus, according to the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, were brought up in Rome by a patrician whose name is unknown. Antipas was designated to be Herod’s primary heir, although when Herod died Augustus divided the kingdom among Herod’s three sons: Antipas, Archelaus, and Herod Philip.
Antipas is the Herod most often referred to in the Bible, although he was a tetrarch, not a king as the Bible calls him. A tetrarch was a ruler with more or less monarchical powers, but who ruled under the control of Rome and only a portion of the whole kingdom. It was Antipas whom Jesus called “that fox” (Luke 13:32), and for whom Salome danced, afterwards demanding the head of John the Baptist (Matt. 14:3ff.). It was also he before whom Jesus stood at his trial (Luke 23:7ff.).
To add further insult, he divorced his first wife, Areta of Nabataea, and married his brother Herod Philip’s wife Herodias, who was also his niece. She had abandoned Herod Philip after bearing his daughter, Salome. This not only angered the Jews, but it infuriated Aretas IV and precipitated a border war with the Nabateans that cost Antipas a large part of the eastern portion of his kingdom. The marriage to Herodias also incurred vociferous criticism from John the Baptist, who invoked the Levitical law in claiming that the marriage was adulterous (Lev. 20:21). Herodias hated John and eventually prevailed upon Antipas, who feared John, to arrest him. Soon thereafter, in his lust for his stepdaughter Salome, Antipas promised her anything she wanted, up to half his kingdom. She demanded the head of John. The superstitious Antipas was terrified, but he dared not renege on a promise made in public, so he assented (Mark 6:26).
Antipas was a cruel, ambitious, and lustful man, despite the fact that the Bible treats him as something of a tragic figure controlled by his manipulative wife Herodias. The Romans did not like or trust him, even though he had been raised in Rome and was very pro-Roman.
Our nation has freedom of speech and a very low sense of morality. At times the immoral relationships of governing authorities are exposed but rather than discipline the authorities or silence the whistle blowers, life goes on. In a society that uses power to control others, John found out that speaking openly against the immorality of Herod would bring consequences.
And so we find John the Baptist in prison. Isolated to a degree but still able to communicate with the outside world. He has a tremendous interest in the ministry of Jesus. But he questions it. John had prophesied that Jesus would “baptize with fire” and that “his winnowing fork was in his hand” He had clearly testified that Jesus was the one.
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
So we see a very strong belief by John in Jesus as the Messiah. But it may be that Jesus wasn’t working fast enough. If Jesus was going to baptize with fire and clear the threshing floor and bring judgment, why was Herod allowed to continue his incestuous relationship while righteous John languished in prison.
Most of us have never spent a day in jail. (A stranger asked me that last week and I replied, “If I did, I wouldn’t tell you.”) I asked him if he had and he admitted it but didn’t tell me why right away . . . but it was only a day. We can only imagine who disheartening it can be to be confined especially if it was for something we did not do. This is part of John’s doubt as well. He did the right thing and was suffering as a result.
Illustration. We may think of how Elijah was depressed because he stood up for the Lord and the result was that he became a wanted man. He also expressed doubts about God’s plan.
Although there are some commentators who try to defend John and say that he asked this question only for the benefit of his remaining disciples, I believe that John did have doubts and did need reassurance.
Do we ever have doubts about who Jesus is and what he has done to save us? Are there those who question the veracity of the Bible? Do we read about scientific discoveries and theories and wonder if we aren’t just holding on to pious myths and fairy tails? Are we mocked as the Christians were at the time of Peter to which he responded:
2 Peter 1:12–21 (NIV)
12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Peter turns our attention to the authority of God’s Word. Jesus turned John’s attention to the events that were taking place that were fulfilling that word. True. Jesus had not yet done everything the Messiah would do. But he was in the process of carrying out that work according to God’s (not John’s) timetable.
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
Jesus then continues by teaching the people about who John is and in that discourse he makes this statement:
Matthew 11:12 (NIV84)
12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.
Rest of the Story. We would like to know the rest of the story. How did John react when Jesus’ words come to him. Did he pray, “Lord, I believe. Help me in my unbelief.”? Did he make a strong confession of faith, putting aside his doubts and affirming his trust in God’s plan? We don’t know but I think we can assume that this was the effect.
Jesus had compassion on John and sent a message which was intended to reassure him. His message is intended to reassure us too.
Was Jesus the one who was to come? Or should be deny it the way the Jews did and perhaps look for another Messiah?
Traditional Judaism teaches that there will be a leader, an individual who will bring about redemption. In some ways I like to imagine that this is true. At a bris or baby naming, I imagine the many ways this bundle of love will influence and change the world. It seems easy to sit back and hope that a Messiah will come. Although I have no idea whether or not most Jews are expecting the Messiah, I am certain that most Jews recognize there is much suffering and great sadness in our world. Speaking for myself only, I am not waiting for a personal messiah who will bring a kingdom of God on earth. I prefer a more active approach. I believe that each of us is created in the divine image. We increase holiness when we accept personal responsibility for bringing about a “messianic age.” Our tradition teaches that human beings have the power to help God save the world, by effecting justice, finding cures for diseases and fighting poverty.
Jesus’ miracles confirm who he is. We sing this often in our liturgy from John. John 20:26–31 (NIV84)
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
But Jesus would do more than those miracles. Again and again we are told how he fulfilled prophecy . . . the greatest of which is the resurrection.
A generation after the ascension of Jesus into heaven, St. Paul found it necessary to reassure doubting Christians in Corinth with the powerful truth and its meaning of the resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:1–8 (NIV84)
1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Conclusion: There are times in our lives when we realized that we believed was not really true. Imaginative stories about our favorite holiday characters, Greek myths, Grimm’s Fairy Tales, who the best team in football is, some campaign promises. But there are other times when what we believe to be true really is true but we are tempted to doubt its truth and the power it has for our lives. Jesus reassuring John when John had doubts teaches us that our God reassures us in His Word the truth about him. Amen.
