Make straight the way of the Lord

This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’* And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ He said,

‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,

“Make straight the way of the Lord” ’,

as the prophet Isaiah said.

Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’ John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

- John 1:19-28

John's gospel began with the prologue, which we read in yesterday's reading and commentary. But even in yesterday's reading, John the Baptist was an important enough figure to mention, starting in verse 6. We are told in the prologue that the Baptist, or Forerunner, testified to the light. John the Baptist was a powerful figure in his time and had many disciples and followers. He was widely believed to be a prophet among the people. Many of Jesus' apostles and disciples were believed to have been first John the Baptist's disciples.

A note in my study bible regarding the questioning, above, and John's answer that he is not the prophet, reads as follows: "The Baptist is a prophet, but not the Prophet, the messianic Moses-like figure expected by the Jews (see Deut. 18:15,18)." But we know from Matthew's gospel (which we finished reading last month) that Jesus himself will declare that, in fulfillment of prophecy, John had the spirit of Elijah. John denies that he is Elijah; rather, when he is asked about himself, he replies with the quotation from Isaiah 40:3: "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord.' " So John is clearly identifying himself as "Forerunner" - the one who comes before the Lord, calling all to repentance and to make ready for this great event.

Those sent by the Pharisees quiz John: "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" As they will do so often in the gospels, the Pharisees (and the ones they've sent in this reading, the priests and Levites) play the role of quizzing as to what authority others have to preach, because they cannot recognize spiritual authority - only outward rules. John replies: "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." John is alluding to spiritual authority in the one who is coming after him - and a baptism of far greater dimension and power than the one John practices with water.

This great figure of John the Baptist is one I will happily contemplate today. In the readings of Christmastide, we reviewed the early events surrounding Jesus' birth. We recall Luke's gospel teaching us about the prophecy to Zechariah, John's father, by an angel - in which it was foretold that John would have the spirit of Elijah. Zechariah was also told to name the child John, which means (according to Strong's dictionary) "Jehovah is a gracious giver." So, with insight into the naming of this child, John the Baptist is the one who "makes the way straight" for the Lord by teaching us, and calling all to repentance, in the face of the great bestowal of the gift of the Incarnation and all that will mean for us. As we read yesterday, this Gift we are given of the One of whom John says, "I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal," is one from which we will receive "grace upon grace." John baptizes with water, to prepare all for this great Bestowal, the Gift of the One who will baptize us with Spirit.

So, he is preparing the world for a great transition. Even in the early questioning of John by the Pharisees, we begin to see the conflict. We know, too, that John will be a fearless prophet who will speak the truth and find many followers. He will be held in the highest esteem for his truth, and he will also suffer a martyr's death for it. But he is true to his gift and his spirit and his purpose. He points the way to the Lord; his gift is not to glorify himself. How can we be like John the Baptist, the greatest of the prophets? His fierce dedication to truth, his great humility, and his steadfast pointing to the One of whom John says that he himself is not worthy to untie the thong of His sandal? Today, let us honor this spirit of prophecy in this great man, and think about the power of his truth, his honesty, dedication and strength. He inspired many followers, among whom would come the first disciples of Jesus. Do you know people like John today? If we follow his spirit, we understand how we are to view the gift, and to point to the one who will baptize in Spirit. In our hearts, we need still to "make straight the way of the Lord" every day, so that we too may properly receive and value this Gift coming our way.