Third Sunday in Advent 2010

Third Sunday in Lent
12/10/10
Matthew 11:2-11
Bror Erickson

[2] Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples
[3] and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" [4] And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: [5] the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. [6] And blessed is the one who is not offended by me."
[7] As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? [8] What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. [9] What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. [10] This is he of whom it is written,
" 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.'

[11] Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Matthew 11:2-11 (ESV)


The Story of John the Baptist is a mysterious one. We concentrate on him a bit in Advent, because he is the one who comes to prepare the way for the Christ. He is Elijah who is to come. He is the prophet who is sent to prepare they way for the Messiah. He is the law to make way for the gospel. John the Baptist knew who he was. And when his cousin showed there on the river banks of the Jordan, his heart leaped for joy even as he did in his mother’s womb at the presence of Christ in Mary’s womb. It was then that he knew his job was finished, as he cried out “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” And yet his disciples followed him, they were reluctant to leave the side of John the Baptist. From that point on he knew that he needed to decrease as Christ increased.

But now he is rotting in a jail cell. His disciples find it hard to believe, and I imagine there is but a little despair in John too, who is a man. John had lived an austere life, so he was well prepared for the conditions of prison. Yet you wonder how disappointed he must have been, and his disciples that his ministry should end like this. In prison waiting for death.

Some say John the Baptist never doubted that Jesus was the Christ, that he sent his disciples to Jesus so he could finally shake off the last couple dunderheads that couldn’t get it, before he was beheaded. Others say the depression of prison finally weakened his faith that he had to ask for himself. There is a third option. John the Baptist was simply saying, “get on with it would you? Usher in that kingdom of glory, get about the business of judging the living and the dead. Start separating the wheat from the chaff with the winnowing fork I said would be in your hand! So that I can see it, and enjoy it.”

John the Baptist preached with a prophet’s zeal. And now perhaps he was worried that Jesus would let his prophecy go unanswered in his own life time. The answer Jesus gives is just as mysterious. He sends the disciples back to John with an answer that says, “yes I am the Messiah and yet you will still suffer. I do not come at this time to lay the ax to the root of the tree. But the Blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk and the poor have good news preached to them. The time is yet to come for the judgment, for the burning of the chaff.”

But I think we can understand John, can’t we? We understand John with every prayer we pray in which we pray, Even so Lord, Come quickly, or perhaps “Thy kingdom Come.” Perhaps we do not always understand why he delays. There is so much evil in this world. So much evil his children have to endure, good people, righteous people, who do the best they can to live by the laws of God. Yet these people are hacked to pieces by machete mobs in Africa, gunned down amidst services in downtown Baghdad, laughed at and shunned in our schools. And the world just isn’t even a nice place to its own! To live in this world is to suffer in this world. And we know there is heaven waiting for us. We live every day with the tension of which the Apostle Paul speaks:
[21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. [22] If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. [23] I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. [24] But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. (Philip. 1:21-24 (ESV)

We know that to die is our gain. We know we have nothing to fear when Christ comes again in glory to judge the living and the dead. And we know it could put an end to the suffering here. But then we know that would be just the beginning of suffering for so many. So we endure, and so we endure in Christ, patiently awaiting his return amidst the suffering of this world. Rejoicing every day, that today is a day of Grace, another day to speak with joy about our savior Jesus Christ. Who makes the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk and preaches good news to the poor, even as we endure the prison that is this world.
Now the peace of God that surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.