John the Baptist

Vladimiresti Monastery, Hanu Colachi, Galati, Rumania

The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true. He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God’s wrath.

- John 3:31-36

Our lectionary readings for the Christmas season have so far taught us about Elizabeth and Zechariah (the parents of John the Baptist), Mary (here and here) and Joseph. We've learned of the connection between these faithful people who will set the events of Jesus' birth in motion and their faith, and the annunciation of the good news via angelic messenger to each of them. In today's passage, we receive the message of the child that was born to Elizabeth, John the Baptist.

In the traditional language of the Church, John the Baptist has many titles. He is called, among other titles, the Forerunner. John is the herald who comes before Jesus, proclaiming the message of the Lord who is to come, and teaching people repentance in preparation for the coming of the Lord's kingdom. In his lifetime, John was held in reverence as a prophet and had many followers. In the gospels we read that the religious leadership was careful not to tread on popular opinion about John the Baptist, who held a great image in the eyes of the population. Many of Jesus' early followers come from the disciples of John the Baptist. In many representations in the churches of the East, John the Baptist is depicted in icons with wings (such as in the mosaic above) to show us his role as "messenger" - the wings, such as those of an angel, remind us of the meaning of the word for angel. Αγγελος ("angelos") means "messenger" in Greek.

Although John the Baptist was widely venerated and had many followers, he was always careful to distance himself as an object of praise and high regard. He is the witness to Jesus as the One who is greater than he is. John called himself the friend of the bridegroom, putting Christ - the Lord whose kingdom John the Baptist called all to prepare for - in the role of bridegroom. In popular expectation and in language used in the Old Testament scriptures, the Messiah was considered the bridegroom, with Israel or Jerusalem - the people of God - the bride. In the New Testament, Christ is the bridegroom, and the Church his bride. When Jesus enters Jerusalem to begin the events that will set into motion his Passion, he is greeted as bridegroom by the people.

The passage quoted in today's reading is the message of John the Baptist regarding the One who is to come, the Lord whose kingdom John is proclaiming all must prepare for via repentance and baptism. John here is contrasting his own role with that of Jesus who is to come. "The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all."

"He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true." John's teaching is a proclamation of the gospel message. The One who comes from above will testify what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his message, he will be rejected. But those who can accept this testimony certify that God is true, and this truth is in their hearts.

"He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure." What has come from above will give as God gives, freely and of abundance - of the grace and mercy that is given without measure. John testifies here of the bestowal of the Spirit through the ministry and life of Christ, which will be poured out on all people. The grace and mercy of Christ are in his teachings to all of us, which are the words of God.

"The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God’s wrath." All things are placed in the hands of the Son by the Father. Christ will reign as Lord, and will return in his role as Son of Man and Lord of the Universe, to judge all things at the end of the age. This kingdom is eternal, and the passport to eternal life is faith.

John proclaims the great relationship that Jesus will teach us at the Last Supper: that the Father has placed everything in the hands of the Son, and those who accept the Son will also carry the love of the Father. In this early summoning up of the gospel message and teachings of Jesus, we have a message from the great Forerunner preparing us (and Israel) for what is to come. In our first passages of the Christmas season, we are met with images of angels and angelic messengers. In this passage, the Herald, John the Baptist, continues with his message of hope and good news in preparation for the One who is to come, and functions for us and the people of Israel to whom he preached as another "messenger" like the angel Gabriel in his annunciation to Mary and to Elizabeth. Today we celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus, and our story is one of divine heralds and great good news of salvation through Christ. May you also honor the messengers both divine and human who come into your life and teach and remember a prayer for those who have taught us throughout the centuries. They are the ones who serve and point us to the great light of the Lord. This is a story shrouded in the good news of the heralds and messengers of the kingdom, and it is their glory - both divine and human - that gives us at Christmas its special light.