This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to ponder Matthew 11:2-11. The English Standard Version clubs verses 1-19 together and supplies the heading “Messengers from John the Baptist.”
Last week, I explained what the word “gospel” means when used as title of a book. I also explained that of the four gospels in the Bible, Matthew is the one which is most clearly written according to the theme of fulfilment of prophecy, fulfilment of things predicted long ago.
Today’s reading tells us that John Baptist sent some of his disciples to Jesus with a question. Essentially, the question was, “Did I get it wrong? Are you really the one whom the prophets said would come?”
As I said last week, John had been arrested because he pointed out wrongdoings, and warned people to stop the wrongdoings, to reform, to take responsibility. John was arrested because the ruler, Herod Antipas, worried that the people would rise up against him, and he would be deposed. John was arrested because he was a preacher of righteousness.
Jesus took John’s arrest as the signal for him to begin his public ministry. As soon as John was arrested, Jesus took over his ministry. Jesus’ message was the same as John’s: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”[1]
The Bible does not say explicitly whether John’s disciples continued with the work of baptism after he was imprisoned.
The Bible tells us a lot about things Jesus and his disciples did. But it tells us very little about them conducting baptisms.[2]
From Jesus’ answer to John’s question, we see that John may not have been aware of the vast number of miraculous, super-natural, prophecy-fulfilling things Jesus was doing.
Jesus’ in his answer pointed out that he was doing the things which Prophet Isaiah had predicted long ago: he was curing the blind, healing the lame, restoring hearing to the deaf, preaching good news to the poor.
Bible scholars point out something else: Jesus added that he was doing more than what Isaiah had predicted, because he was even curing leprosy and raising people from the dead.[3]
John and Jesus lived in a time of great oppression. And anticipation.
There was constant talk of the end times, of the eschaton, the final event in God’s plan for the world. John warned people to change their ways, to end wrongdoings, to fear punishment. He told them they should prepare the way for the Christ, the Messiah, the saviour: Jesus.
After giving his answer to John’s disciples, Jesus spoke to the others, the crowds. He told them John was indeed a prophet. More than a prophet.
Then Jesus said something remarkable. Something which Matthew considered important enough to record for his readers.
Matthew tells his readers that Jesus said the people rightly honoured John. Matthew also tells us Jesus pointedly added that John had less honour than “the least in the kingdom of heaven.”
Why did Jesus say that? Why did Matthew write that Jesus said that?
I think the most probable reason is that at the time Matthew wrote, some of John’s disciples were “continuing” John’s ministry of preaching repentance and baptizing those who responded positively.
I think Matthew didn’t want to confront John’s disciples head-on and tell them to stop what they were doing.
I think Matthew wanted to show John’s disciples that Jesus had replaced John’s ministry.
I think Matthew says in a different way what John, in his Gospel, tells us John Baptist said,
“[Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease.”[4]
Most of you know “the Great Commission,” the general command Jesus gave before he ascended into heaven. It’s echoes can be heard in all the Gospels and in the book of Acts. The longest, best-known, and most repeated version is in Matthew 28:18-20. It reads,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” [5]
John’s baptism was with water. Jesus’ baptism is with the Holy Spirit and fire.
John’s baptism was limited to the river Jordan. Jesus’ baptism is in all nations.
John’s baptism was a symbolic washing. Jesus’ baptism is a refining fire.
Are you on fire?
Peace be with you.
Photo credit: Vincentian Mindwalk.
[1] Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17.
[2] The only mention of Jesus and his disciples conducting baptisms is in the Gospel according to John. See John 3:22 and John 4:1-2.
[3] See especially Isaiah 35:5-6 and 61:1; also 26:19; 29:18; 42:18.
[4] John 3:30.
[5] See also Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46-48, John 20:21, and Acts 1:8.
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