Luke 7:18-23
The disciples of John reported all these things to him. So John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’” Jesus had just then cured many people of diseases, plagues, and evil spirits, and had given sight to many who were blind. And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.”
In all four gospels, the relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus is intriguing. On the one hand, John baptizes Jesus and serves as his herald. On the other, John seems a bit confused by Jesus’ actual ministry, as if he didn’t quite expect Jesus to do the things he did.
Indeed, he sends messengers to ask, point blank: are you the one. Not only that, but he’s clearly prepared for a disappointing outcome: or should we wait for another? I imagine that there was an note of pathos, even desperation, in John’s voice as he asked this question. He had waited, worked, hoped, announced…was it all in vain?
This somewhat desperate questioning is even more striking in Luke, as Luke narrates that John and Jesus are actually cousins and we might presume some familiarity between them.
But while John’s confusion is interesting, I think it’s also instructive. Because if John – the forerunner and herald of the messiah – is not quite sure what to make of Jesus, then we should probably not be surprised that no one else is either. Indeed, throughout his ministry Jesus constantly defies expectations, redefines what it means to be God’s messiah, and surprises people – sometimes to their delight, but often to their consternation.
Which makes me wonder if we’ve domesticated Jesus. Are we so comfortable, that is, with Jesus that he no longer surprises us, cajoles us, even vexes us? If so, then maybe we’re not really paying attention.
A second element of this exchange that struck me is the answer Jesus gives. He offers John neither comfort for his concerns nor arguments to persuade him. Instead, all he does is point to the effects of his ministry – effects, by the way, that echo the promises he made in his first sermon: “the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them.”
Jesus’ status and authority are made most clear in his determined commitment to stand for life and all that supports it and consequently to stand against all that would rob the children of God of abundant life.
Maybe that’s not what John expected in a Messiah. Maybe that’s not what those in Jesus’ day looked for either. Maybe they wanted someone who would run the Romans out of Israel, or bring Herod to justice, or usher in an era of peace and prosperity. And maybe it’s not what we expect either. Maybe we look for someone who will keep our country strong, or protect us in times of trial, or validate our values and lifestyle, or answer all our prayers.
Who knows? What we do know is that Jesus testifies that his ministry, mission, and relationship to God are made manifest in his actions to demonstrate the favor of God by standing for life, health, healing, and wholeness.
And blessed be anyone – then or now – who takes no offense at that.
Dear God: You are for life and all that nurtures life. Let us also be found on the side of all that promotes health, healing, and abundant life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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