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| John the Baptist Preaching in the Wilderness by Anton Raphael Mengs, 1760 |
The Romans were in charge, and the local ruler -- one of a string of Herods -- was particularly vile. As a preacher of repentance and baptism, as well as the fore-runner of the Messiah, John got himself into trouble with the authorities for his firm stand on righteousness, and was ultimate executed for his trouble. But Jesus, the Christ -- John's cousin and the One of whom John foretold -- had this to say about him:
What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 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. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'
I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
-- Matthew 11: 7b - 15
Were John to appear in the midst of us this evening at the Taize worship service, would we cower in fear? Recoil in disgust? Call the police to evict him by force? Or listen to what he had to tell us?
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