But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet

 

 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  For this is he of whom it is written:

'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,

Who will prepare Your way before You.'

"Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.  For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.  And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

 

- Matthew 11:7-15 

 

Yesterday we read that when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples (preparing them and sending them off to their first apostolic mission), that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.  And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:  The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  

 

 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to se?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  For this is he of whom it is written:  'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, / Who will prepare Your way before You.'"   In today's reading, the words of Jesus regarding John the Baptist echoes themes found in many of the prophets (notably Isaiah), but in particular the prophesy of Malachi, and the special messenger who would prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah.  See Malachi 3:1.  Jesus declares here that John is a prophet, and more than a prophet.  

 

 "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."  John the Baptist is the greatest of all the Old Testament type prophets.  But as this messenger of the coming of the Messiah, he forms a kind of bridge between the Old and New Covenants.  My study Bible comments that the New Covenant is of such incomparable value that those who share in the New Covenant are greater than John was without it.  This does not imply that John will not be resurrected to the kingdom of heaven, but only that his life on earth came before something far superior.

 

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force."  My study Bible indicates that there are several interpretations which have been given to the idea that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence.  Some say that it refers to the Jewish opposition to the gospel.  But others have interpreted this to mean that it refers to the Kingdom breaking into the world "violently," that is, with tremendous power and force.  Yet others have commented that the kingdom of heaven refers to Christ Himself, who has been incarnate since the days of John the Baptist, and who will suffer the violence of the Cross.  According to St. John Chrysostom, the violent who take the Kingdom by force are those who have such earnest desire for Christ that they let nothing stand between themselves and faith in Him.  

 

"For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.  And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"  My study Bible remarks that John does not ascribe to himself the role of Elijah (John 1:21), but Jesus does here.  This is the fulfillment of the prophesy of Malachi, in which it was predicted that Elijah would return prior to the coming of the Messiah (see Malachi 4:5-6).  John fulfilled the mission of Elijah (Luke 1:17, 76) and his destiny was similar.  Yet John is honored over Elijah, my study Bible comments, because John prepared the way for the advent of Christ Himself.  

 

Here Jesus reveals that John the Baptist is the one returned "in the spirit and power of Elijah" (Luke 1:17), not only ostensibly telling these crowds about John the Baptist, and indeed praising John in the highest of terms, but also indicating that Jesus Himself is the Messiah in so doing.  Because the prophecy of Malachi is fulfilled in John the Baptist in this way, it's clear meaning is the John is the one sent before the Messiah, to prepare His way.   Jesus begins His strong defense of John the Baptist, by saying, "What did you go out into the wilderness to se?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet."  Jesus' vigorous defense of John shows both a fiercely protective and totally loyal perspective, giving us great hints about Jesus' character, and perhaps with these characteristics expressed both His human persona as well as qualities of His divine Person.  It teaches us by example of the powerful goodness in such qualities, which by definition we should seek as well to emulate.  There are other contexts in which we see both a strong protectiveness and deep loyalty as His first impulse, such as when He rushes in to defend His disciples during a dispute (see Mark 9:14-16).  Jesus asks the crowds what they expected of John, clearly referring to his clothing, for as we know John's dedication to God was so thorough that he expressed this by living a radical poverty, living in the wilderness, and relying on God completely.   St. Matthew writes, "Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey" (Matthew 3:4).  This clothing echoes the dress of Elijah, another way of expressing the fulfillment of the prophecy in Micah that Elijah would return.  Jesus compares the "rough" John to those in more sophisticated and socially prominent environments, wearing soft clothing and living in kings' houses.  But this is not the stuff of which a prophet -- and this more than a prophet -- is made.  Ironically, however, John is indeed in a king's house, but he is imprisoned by Herod, and there he will be martyred (Matthew 14:1-12), dying a heroic and saintly death for his incredibly courageous work as a prophet of the truth of God.  Jesus' defense of John against the criticism of the people will continue in our following reading, in which He will rebuke the criticism that called John too rough and ascetic, while complaining that Jesus associates too often with the sinners of public life.  Let us understand His loyalty and love, and endeavor to see as He sees, and be the friend of all the good that He is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But what did you go out into the wilderness to see?

 

 Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  

 

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:

'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,

Who will prepare Your way before You.' 

"For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  

 

And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.  

 

And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:

'We played the flute for you,

 And you did not dance;

We mourned to you,

And you did not weep.'

"For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of  tax collectors and sinners!'  But wisdom is justified by all her children."

 

- Luke 7:18-35

 

Yesterday we read that when Jesus concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people (that is, the Sermon on the Plain), He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.  Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region. 

 

  Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."   My study Bible reminds us that John the Baptist was imprisoned shortly after the Baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:14).  Although the Baptist had directed his disciples to follow Christ (John 1:29-31, 35-37), some remained with him.  While John's own faith was undoubtedly strengthened by the signs Jesus performed, my study Bible cites patristic commentary which universally sees this encounter as a way in which John convinced his remaining disciples that Jesus was truly the Coming One.   The great works performed by Christ here are the signs prophesied about the time of the Messiah.

 

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:  'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'   For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  Although He was the greatest prophet, John's earthly life and ministry remained in the period of the old covenant.  My study Bible explains that the new covenant so far surpasses the old that the least in the kingdom is greater than the greatest outside of it.  This doesn't imply that John will not be resurrected to the Kingdom, but it is telling us that his life on earth came before something much superior.  Jesus quotes from the prophecy of Malachi, indicating that it is John the Baptist who fulfills that prophecy (Malachi 3:1).

 

 And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.  See Mark 11:27-33.

 

And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:  'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; We mourned to you, and you did not weep.'  For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of  tax collectors and sinners!'"  Jesus references a children's game common in His time.  The game was played with two groups of children. One group would initiate musicians either playing a pipe for music to dance, or singing a dirge -- and the other was expected to respond with dancing or mourning.  Here the image is of a second group that does not respond appropriately to either prompt, while the children of the first complain.  The Pharisees were so rigid in their religion, my study Bible explains, that they were unable to respond to and engage the world around them.  So they rejected John as too mournful and ascetic, and Christ as too merciful and joyous.  Jesus compares those who criticize to children playing a childish game.

 

"But wisdom is justified by all her children."  In spite of being rejected by the Pharisees, my study Bible tells us, both John and Christ are justified -- not by the opinions of men, but by their children; that is, those who would come to believe and be faithful.

 

 Jesus seems to chastise the people regarding John.  He says, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts."  The irony to us should be that John is not living in a king's court, but in a king's prison, although we know that King Herod liked to listen to him and "heard him gladly" (see Mark 6:17-20).  But John was neither a reed shaken by the wind, nor a man clothed in soft garments, nor was he gorgeously appareled or living in luxury.  But John the Baptist was "a prophet," and "more than a prophet," as Jesus says.  John lived the radical life of a prophet fully devoted to God, and dependent upon God.  He was clothed in animal skins, and ate food that was available to him in the wild (Matthew 3:4).  Jesus seems to be responding to criticism of John's life of absolute poverty, what we might call a kind of wildness in his devotion to his mission and his place as the one who called the people to prepare for the coming of the Messiah.  Hence, John's title in the Church as "Forerunner."  Jesus says he is more than a prophet; in the tradition of the Church he is the last and greatest of the Old Testament type prophets.  While Jesus is perceived as John's opposite in various ways, Christ vigorously defends John and John's way of life in fulfilling his holy mission.  Let us remark upon the loyalty Christ has for all those who serve God, which we can see in His defense of John.  He says to the people, "For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of  tax collectors and sinners!'"  Perhaps the most important teaching we take from today's text is just how God works through God's myriad holy workers, all of them saints and all of them fulfilling their roles in the dispensation of God's plan of salvation.  For each one is unique, and new saints are born every day; there are countless numbers of saints whom we don't know and may never be recognized, and no such thing as a "cookie-cutter" saint or repeat.  This is part of our observance of God's nature of infinite creativity, which never stops, is always renewed, and always surpassing our own limited perceptions and expectations.   In this sense, we are to understand Jesus' very important teaching about the justification of wisdom -- all of the children of Holy Wisdom fulfill the purposes of God which may be unknown or misunderstood by human beings, and yet all are justified in their holiness and their calling.  Even when the holy are seemingly disparate from one another in appearance, such as John the Baptist and Jesus.  John and Jesus are seeming "opposites" in other ways besides the rustic asceticism of John compared to Christ's joyful feasting with tax collectors and sinners.  In the Church, their lives are commemorated at opposite times of the year; John's is when the summer light begins to wane, and Christ's is at the beginning of the time of the year when the light begins to lengthen (Christmas).  John expresses another form of this "difference" between them when he tells his disciples about Jesus, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).  God is big enough to hold these differences at once as part and parcel of the plan for the salvation of the world, and perhaps you and I may look at our world and find, indeed, contradictions which we can't explain, but nonetheless are held in the same hands of God for us all.  For our faith is also found in paradox, in that which is so much bigger than we can ever resolve nor know, but which teaches us to look with humility, beyond what we already understand (Job 38:4).

 

 

 

 

 

Wisdom is justified by all her children

 

 Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:  

'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,

Who will prepare Your way before You.'

"For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. 

But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.  And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:  

'We played the flute for you,

And you did not dance;

We mourned to you,

And you did not weep.'

"For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'  But wisdom is justified by all her children."

 

- Luke 7:18-35 

 

Yesterday we read that when Jesus concluded all His sayings (the Sermon on the Plain) in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.  Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

 

 Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  My study Bible comments here that John the Baptist was imprisoned soon after Jesus was baptized (Mark 1:14).  Although John had directed his disciples to follow Christ (John 1:29-31, 35-37), some remained with him.  While John's own faith was undoubtedly strengthen by the signs Jesus performed, my study Bible says, in patristic commentary this encounter is universally seen as a means John used to convince his remaining disciples that Jesus was indeed the Coming One.

 

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:   'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'  For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.   Jesus' quote regarding John the Baptist is from Malachi 3:1.  By quoting from the prophets, Jesus is clearly speaking of the great honor due to John the Baptist, who lived in poverty but is nonetheless exalted by God.  In contrast to those who are clothed in soft garments, John wore animal skins with a leather belt, and ate what nature provided (see Matthew 3:4).  His radical poverty defined his complete and total dedication to God.  My study Bible comments that although John was the greatest prophet, his earthly life and ministry remained in the period of the old covenant.  The new covenant so far surpasses the old that the least in the kingdom is greater than the greatest outside it.  This does not imply that John will not be resurrected to the Kingdom, but only that his life on earth came before something far superior.  Regarding those who had been baptized with the baptism of John, see Luke 3:7-14.

But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.  See Mark 11:27-33.  

And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:  'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; We mourned to you, and you did not weep.'"  For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'"  My study Bible explains that the children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another are playing a game of the period.   It was a game played in two groups.  One group would mimic musicians, and the other group refused to respond appropriately to the type of music that was played, either for dancing or mourning.  It notes that the Pharisees were so rigid in their religion that they were unable to respond to and engage the world around them.  Therefore, they rejected John as being too mournful and ascetic, and Christ as being too merciful and joyous.

"But wisdom is justified by all her children."  My study Bible notes that in spite of being rejected by the Pharisees, both John and Christ are justified, not by the opinions of men, but by their children, those who would come to believe and be faithful.

 

Jesus says in response to the Pharisees and the lawyers,  "But wisdom is justified by all her children."  The men He addresses first of all condemn Christ for the joyfulness of His ministry and condemn John the Baptisn for his asceticism.  Christ's response is that in neither case are they correct, for wisdom works through a myriad of appearances in the world, a pantheon of saints who each embody holy wisdom in their lives and live those choices to glorify God in more varieties than we can understand.  It seems to me that each person has a particular way to serve God, and that we can see this in the variety of saints and their ministries and lives in the history of the Church.  As each one is born and lives in particular circumstances, so each will be called by God to serve in particular ways fitting to the time and place and the choices available to them.  So one thing that we can surely learn from Christ's teachings in today's reading is that we cannot prejudge nor quantify exactly what holiness will do or looks like.  We can see this in Jesus' chastising of those who apparently would look upon John as failure or false prophet now that he was imprisoned.  There were many at the time, we remember, who fancied that he was the expected Messiah, although John himself denied that (see John 1:19-28).  I love Jesus' vivid description in His castigation of those who would now reject John for the hardship of his life:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet."  What did they go out to see in the wilderness where John was preaching and baptizing?  A timid weak reed shaken by any wind that blew, or the man who stood up to the king?  Is John in the king's court, or is he in his prison?  The rough John did not bend as a reed, and never wore gorgeous apparel or lived in luxury, but rather suffered a gory death through the games and feasting of that court!  See Matthew 14:3-12.  But although the ministries and persons of John the Baptist and Jesus seem quite different, they are both called by God and follow God in what they do and how they live their lives and conduct their ministries.  Each has his role to play.  Only Jesus is the Christ, and John has his own important role to play in the story of salvation, as the one who prepared the way for Christ.  John served as the model for the early monastics, especially the desert monks, who would renounce all for the sake of following God.  His asceticism likewise provided inspiration.  But Jesus here mimics those who criticize Him, and we get a very different picture of His ministry:  to them He is "a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!"   In this picture of the opposite of John's rigorous asceticism and poverty, Jesus seemingly makes quite a spectacle of Himself in the eyes of the Pharisees and the lawyers.  In the eyes of these religious authorities, both He and John are not up to their standards of behavior.  But Jesus declares the opposite, that "wisdom is justified by all her children."  What fruits do these ministries bear?  What spiritual fruits grow from John and Jesus?  How do they inspire their followers -- do their children glorify God?    The religious leaders seem to think that it is up to them to fashion what glorifies God and what does not -- to dictate what wisdom is and does, and does not.  But they fail to honor God by failing to see what the people have seen -- even the tax collectors -- in the figures of both Jesus and John.  In emptying their lives to God, each one is transfigured in the power of God, right to the end, and into a fulfillment of an image given by God.  So they form models for our lives, regardless of what each appears to be.  For wisdom is justified by all her children.  Jesus says, "Blessed is he who is not offended by Me."  Let us consider how we honor wisdom, in whatever form wisdom takes.

 

 

 

Wisdom is justified by all her children

 

 Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.   And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  

 

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:  

'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,

Who will prepare Your way before You.'

"For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.  

And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:

'We played the flute for you,

And you did not dance;

We mourned to you,

And you did not weep.'

"For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'  But wisdom is justified by all her children."

 

- Luke 7:18-35 

 

Yesterday we read that when Jesus had concluded His Sermon on the Plain in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I am also a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.  Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region. 

 

Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.   And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  My study Bible notes that John the Baptist was imprisoned soon after Jesus was baptized (Mark 1:14).  Although John directed his disciples to follow Christ (John 1:29-31, 35-37), there were those who remained with him.  While John's own faith was strengthened by Christ's signs, my study Bible says, in patristic commentary this encounter is universally viewed as a means used by John to convince his remaining disciples that Jesus was indeed the Coming One.  Just as John proclaimed himself to be the "voice of one crying in the wilderness" (Luke 3:3-6, Isaiah 40:3-4), Jesus here responds to John by echoing to the words of Isaiah regarding the time of the Messiah (Isaiah 35:5-6).

 

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:   'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'"  For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.  As both John and Jesus have echoed prophesy in expressing their identity, here Jesus turns to the prophesy of Malachi (Malachi 3:1) to proclaim the identity of John to the multitudes. My study Bible notes that although John was the greatest prophet, his earthly life and ministry remained in the period of the old covenant.  It says that the new covenant so far surpasses the old that the least in the kingdom is greater than the greatest outside it.  This does not imply that John will not be resurrected to the Kingdom, but only that his life on earth came before something far superior.  Regarding the Pharisees and lawyers, see Christ's response to the temple authorities concerning John the Baptist in Luke 20:1-8.

And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:  'We played the flute for you,

And you did not dance; We mourned to you, and you did not weep.'  For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'  But wisdom is justified by all her children."  My study Bible explains that this was a game which children would play in two groups.  One group would mimic musicians, and the other one would refuse to respond appropriately to the type of music that was played -- for mourning or dancing.  It notes that the Pharisees were so rigid in their religion that they were unable to respond to and engage the world around them.  Therefore, they rejected John as being too mournful and ascetic, and Christ as being too merciful and joyous.  But in spite of being rejected by the Pharisees, both John and Christ are justified -- not by the opinions of human beings, but by their children.  That is, by those who would come to believe and be faithful.  

How do we know whose children we are?  In various places in the New Testament, we're reminded that to be a child of someone means that we behave as they did, we think like they did, we do things like they did.  Perhaps ironically, considering the theme of today's reading, both John the Baptist and Jesus used such terms in chastising the religious leadership.  John the Baptist preached to the multitudes, "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones" (Luke 3:8).  In John's Gospel, Jesus says similarly to the Pharisees, "If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. You do the deeds of your father" (see John 8:39-41).  In becoming children by adoption, we are encouraged to realize that we are created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27).  Therefore, we are to become more "like" Christ.    In the Sermon on the Plain, which we've just read through in Luke's Gospel, Jesus teaches, "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher" (Luke 6:40), and He teaches to "love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful" (Luke 6:35-36).  The teaching is clear, that to be a "child" of someone is to become "like" them, to grow in their image.  This, for Christ, is discipleship, and how we are to grow in likeness so that we are known as God's children, "sons of the Most High."   But, as the lesson from today's reading makes clear, we must also have insight to understand this.  The rigid legalism of the Pharisees only condemns by outward appearance, and do not recognize the godly elements in both John and Jesus, the wisdom that is at work in their ministries, as different as they may seem in outward expressions of their love of God.  Jesus is the Bridegroom who feasts with His friends while He is in the world, whose friends will fast later (see Luke 5:34-35).  John is the great ascetic, whose life is devoted to nothing but the love of God, and preaches repentance to the world in preparation for the Christ (Matthew 3:1-6).  What is striking in today's reading is the loyalty Jesus shows to John in defending him so vigorously to the Pharisees.  Similarly, He defends His disciples in public when He encounters them involved in a dispute, but later corrects them in private (Matthew 17:13-21).  When the disciples discover someone not of their group casting out demons in Christ's name, He tells them, "Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side" (see Luke 9:49-50).  What Jesus shows us in these examples is a brotherhood that exists between all believers, that all children of God (or "sons of the Most High") are united in a kind of love that supersedes easy judgment by appearance.  When we look at the whole history of saints in the Church, we see a plethora of personalities, actions, those from a myriad of walks of life, and every country where there are faithful -- and a multitude unknown to us also.  We must be united in this desire to be "like God" but in the ways that God calls each.  For that we need the discernment of a loving heart that has already wrestled with one's own faith and errors, survived correction, and earnestly seeks the way of Christ -- even in how we approach those not of our nominal flock.  To be like Christ is to seek to recognize all of wisdom's children. 

 

 

 

Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he

 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  For this is he of whom it is written:

'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.'

"Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.  For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.  And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

- Matthew 11:7-15

Yesterday we read that when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples concerning their first apostolic mission (Matthew 10), that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.  And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:   The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." 

 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  For this is he of whom it is written:  'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'"  There is irony here in Jesus' statement, as those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses, and John is locked up in prison in the house of King Herod Antipas.  But John wore nothing like soft clothing, and preached in the wilderness, baptizing and wearing the clothing of a prophet in the style of Elijah who also lived in the wilderness in radical poverty for the sole love of God, as Matthew tells us in chapter 3:  "Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey" (3:4).  Jesus quotes from Malachi 3:1.  It is Malachi who prophesied Elijah's return at the time of the Messiah (Malachi 4:5).

"Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."  My study bible says that in terms of the Old Testament Law, John the Baptist is the greatest prophet.  The New Covenant is of such incomparable value that those who share in the New Covenant are greater than John was without it.

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force."  There are several interpretations that have been given to the idea that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, my study bible tells us.  Some say that it refers to the idea that the Kingdom breaks into the world "violently," that is, with great power and force.  Indeed, Jesus seems to contrast prophesy and the law with what occurs with John, who is the last and greatest in that lineage, which is the arrival of the Kingdom with presence.  Others have said that the Kingdom of heaven is a reference to Christ Himself, who has been incarnate since the days of John the Baptist, and who will suffer the violence of the Cross.  According to St. John Chrysostom, the violent who take the Kingdom by force are those who have such earnest desire for Christ that they let nothing stand between themselves and faith in Him.  Another thing we must consider is that the prophets all prophesied in the Holy Spirit; but it is John who announced that He who will baptize with the Spirit is present, and witnessed the Spirit's presence with Jesus at His baptism (see Matthew 3:11-17); it is the Spirit in which the Kingdom is truly present to us.

"For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.  And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"  My study bible notes that John does not ascribe to himself the role of Elijah (John 1:21), but Jesus does.  John fulfilled the mission of Elijah (Luke 1:17, 76) and his destiny was similar.  But John is honored over Elijah as John prepared the way for the advent of Christ Himself.

Some important thoughts about the Spirit and the Kingdom, and its presence and manifestation in the world.  It is the Spirit who made possible the birth of Christ as human being; as Matthew puts it, Mary was found with child of the Holy Spirit (1:18).  In Mary we see the image of the burning bush which Moses observed (Exodus 3:1-2), in the midst of which was a flame of fire, and though it burned the plant was not consumed.  It is the Spirit in which we as Christians are invited to participate in the Kingdom and its presence of beauty and light and meaning.  In light of Pentecost, today's passage gives us much to think about concerning the true nature of the Kingdom and what Christ has to say about its presence with us.  Saints Peter and Paul enumerate for us gifts of the Spirit via their Epistles, and St. Paul teaches us about the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).  In one of the most beautiful compositions of the fruit of the Spirit, St. Paul teaches us about the greatest of all gifts, love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13).  In all of these ways, the Kingdom fashions those who participate in it as greater than John the Baptist.  The real question is how we participate in what our forbears understood as the true beauty of the Church, which is the beauty of the Spirit.  All of these fruits are not borne of simple work or our own fashioning.  They are rather given through the gift of contemplation, through that which works through true prayer, participation in the Kingdom.  And that must be what we seek, as Jesus invites us to do here.  This must be that which we focus upon as He points the way and teaches us about the great and unsurpassed gift of the ability to participate in this Kingdom.  All the prophets and the law prophesied until John, but now something with power and force is happening, something altogether new, but we need to embrace it with all our hearts, and truly live it.

From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force

 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  For this is he of whom it is written:

'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before you.'

"Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.  For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.  And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

- Matthew 11:7-15

Yesterday we read that when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples (before their first apostolic mission), He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.  And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of is disciples and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:  The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  

As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses."  John's disciples have just come to Christ, asking Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  This question has come from John, who is imprisoned in Herod's castle.  A natural reaction to those familiar with the Gospel so far would be to question whether or not John had perhaps changed his mind.  After all, it was John who recognized Jesus as the Christ when Jesus was baptized, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?"  (See this reading.)  But Jesus' ministry is not what was expected of the Messiah.  He hasn't publicly declared Himself.  He will cultivate a kind of faith that responds with the heart, and so His response to John was to quote from the prophet Isaiah, and the signs of the time of the coming of the Messiah, which are manifest in Jesus' ministry (see yesterday's reading, above).   Here, Jesus seems to address the crowds and this natural questioning of John's possible change of heart because of the question of John's disciples.  John has not changed his mind at all, but wishes his disciples to be given direction to Christ.  Jesus demands of this crowd to consider what they went out into the wilderness to see when they went to John.  A reed shaken by the wind is a description found in 3 Maccabees of Ptolemy Philopator, a king of Egypt, as he was smitten by the judgment of God for his persecution of the Jews.  Jesus asks them if they thought John was one who would bend with the wind, a person clothed in soft garments and therefore not used to struggle and difficulty.  Jesus says ironically, of John who is imprisoned in a king's house (the palace of Herod Antipas), "Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses."  He is challenging the crowd to know John and to understand him, and He goes on to praise John and establish his place in the story of salvation.

"But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  For this is he of whom it is written:  'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before you.'  Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."  Jesus affirms that John is a prophet in the lineage of the Old Testament, but he is also even more than a prophet.  He is the forerunner, the messenger who goes before the Christ, fulfilling the prophecy of Malachi.  In the tradition of the Church, these words extend even after death, as John goes before Christ into Hades, to prepare all who have come before.  Among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist.  He is, as the greatest prophet, the fulfillment of all righteousness of the Law.  But there is something much greater that is now at hand, and within the ministry of Christ -- and that is the presence of the kingdom of heaven.  My study bible says that the New Covenant is of such incomparable value that those who share in it are greater than John was without it. 

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.  For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John."  My study bible notes that there have been several interpretations given of this passage.  What does it mean that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and that the violent take it by force?  Some have said that this refers to the Jewish opposition to the gospel.  Others say that it refers to the Kingdom breaking into the world "violently," that is, with great power and force.  Still others have said that the Kingdom of heaven refers to Christ Himself, who has been incarnate since the days of John the Baptist, and who will suffer violence on the Cross.  But St. John Chrysostom writes that the violent who take the Kingdom by force are those who have such earnest desire for Christ that they let nothing stand between themselves and faith in Him.  Jesus seems to imply this when He says that "for all the prophets and the law prophesied until John."   The time of prophecy of the Kingdom has ended with John, the prophet to end all prophets.  At this time the Kingdom is present, manifest, and those who wish to enter in seize it with all their might.   This word for violence in the Greek is used only twice in the New Testament, and both times in a positive sense.

"And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"  John does not ascribe to himself the role of Elijah (John 1:21), but Jesus does, my study bible tells us.  John fulfilled the mission of Elijah (Luke 1:17, 76), and his destiny was similar.  (Malachi prophesied that Elijah would return before the Messiah and the coming of the Kingdom; see Malachi 4:5-6.)  Jesus uses the words of the prophets to indicate to the crowd that they need spiritual ears to understand the fulfillment of this prophecy in John. 

It's interesting to see this aspect of Jesus' persona:  strong and vigorous, and vigorously defending John to the crowds.  He appeals to their understanding of John's character, asking them what they went out to see when they all flocked to John in the wilderness (see Matthew 3:4-12).   We hear Jesus in a strong and bold key, claiming something powerful for John, and yet also proclaiming the boldness of those who now enter the Kingdom, with violence and force.  Jesus uses a voice of irony, nearly sarcasm, when He asks them if they went out to see a reed shaken by the wind, or one clothed in soft garments -- and declares that indeed, those who are clothed in soft garments are in king's houses.  It's also a testimony about the rulers of Israel, who seem to blow with every wind, and appease only worldly power.  We hear a Jesus who is neither soft nor a reed blown any way the wind blows.  This is the voice of vigorous defense and clear debate, a voice of bold proclamation and courage in the face of the oppression that has begun by the state and the powers that be, in the face of the imprisonment and soon-to-be death of John the Baptist.  This is Jesus who fully manifests all aspects of what it means to be human, and to use all His human capacity for exhortation and encouragement and a positive force.  He does not come into His Kingdom with an army for physical battle.  He does not call upon God the Father to send Him thousands of angels to force His Kingdom on the world.  But in His mission He also does not shrink from telling the truth, from the boldness of declaring what is what, of colorfully challenging complacency and lack of faith.  This is also the Jesus we're asked to imitate and to remember:  one who praises a positive kind of assertiveness, and the zeal for the Kingdom, the earnest and deep desire that sees and seizes the time when the "kingdom of heaven is at hand."   Spiritual understanding is a real and powerful force; it is not "ethereal."  It is not the stuff of fantasy or dreams.  Its truth is something that shatters every other power, that overturns all human or worldly plans, that permeates all things.  It is the strength and vigor of this reality that Jesus brings and challenges the world to hear, if we have ears to hear, if we can find a way to know and understand this reality He brings, His Kingdom.

What did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments?

 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.  But what did you go out to see?   A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  For this is he of whom it is written: 

'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.'

"Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.  For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.  And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

- Matthew 11:7-15

Yesterday, we read that when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.  And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:  The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."



 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.  But what did you go out to see?   A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  For this is he of whom it is written:  'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,  who will prepare Your way before You.'"  The quotation is from the prophesy of Malachi (3:1).  Jesus is explaining John the Baptist's role in Jewish spiritual history, his important role in salvation history as herald to the Messiah.  John's life one was spent in extreme asceticism and complete devotion to his mission given by God, a true prophet and, in Jesus' telling, the greatest among the prophets.  It's important that we understand how greatly revered John was as a holy man in his own time, and that reverence is upheld by Jesus.  But it is a time of transition.

"Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."  Under the Old Covenant, John is the greatest in the lineage of Old Testament prophets under the Law.  But Jesus brings something new into the world.  This is not a comparison of John the Baptist to others, nor is it a statement saying John will not enter into the kingdom.  It is rather a message of the gift of the New Covenant, that which is initiated by the Messiah to whom John was the prophet and forerunner.  My study bible explains that the New Covenant is of such incomparable value that those who share in it are greater than John was without it.

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force."  There are varied interpretations of this statement by Jesus that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence.  Some say it refers to the Jewish opposition to the gospel.  Others claim it refers to the Kingdom breaking into the world "violently," in other words with great force and power.  Another interpretation says that the kingdom of heaven refers to Christ Himself, incarnate since the days of John the Baptist, and who will suffer violence Himself at the Cross.  St. John Chrysostom comments that the violent who take the Kingdom by force are those who have such an earnest desire for Christ that they let nothing stand between themselves and faith in Him. 

"For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.  And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"  John has not claimed for himself the role of Elijah (see John 1:21), but Jesus proclaims him to be Elijah who is to come.  He fulfilled the mission of Elijah (Luke 1:17, 76) and has a similar destiny.  John, however, is honored even over Elijah, because it is John who prepares the way for the advent of Christ.   In the Baptist is fulfilled the prophecy that Elijah was to come before the Messiah.

John the Baptist is now in prison, and Jesus has sent word via John's disciples that He is the "Coming One" (see yesterday's reading).  It is a time of transition, a trading off of the old for the new -- the New Covenant, the gospel of the Kingdom, coming into the world.  But this does not diminish John, and John's role in the coming of the Kingdom and the proclamation of preparation for the Christ.  Jesus is making it clear in today's reading what is happening, explaining His place in what is happening, and John's place.  It is again a paradoxical image to try to understand:  this Man, Christ, teaching the people what monumental change is happening.  We remember Jesus' words teaching that "the kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20-21).  And yet something extraordinary and monumental is happening, a shift in history -- indeed, in the spiritual history of the Jews and of the world.  The transition between John and Jesus is the telling of that story and of that unfolding.  How can people understand it and grasp it?  John, by Jesus' telling, isn't a person in soft clothing who walks in the grandeur and pomp of a king's house.  He was a man like Elijah, living in the wilderness in ascetic poverty, totally and wholly dedicated to his mission from God:  a rough man; if you will, akin to a homeless person, living outside the society in order to be radically free to live his mission as prophet, clothed in animal skin and leather.  But Jesus tells the crowds that since the time of the Baptist, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence -- in the ways that kingdoms do when they are seized and entered into -- and that the violent, the rough, those who do not live in king's houses, are taking it by force.   Who are those who are "marching" into the Kingdom?  Jesus has chosen working men for His apostles, and has just sent them out on their first mission.  This is not a kingdom of the effete and superior in worldly rank, but rather one of those whose zeal for the things of God becomes an entry pass, a capacity for admission.  For all John's "roughness" it is he who stayed the course and is greatest among the prophets in his role as the one who declares the coming of the Messiah and the Kingdom.  Those entering into the Kingdom must be those like John, who let nothing keep them from it and from the recognition of this tremendous and valuable gift.  It is the love of God that truly allows us in to receive and to know its surpassing value above all things, even above dwelling in kings' houses.  It is that strength of devotion that becomes the passport to living in this Kingdom, carrying it within us, being a part of it as we are a part of the world, and this -- it seems to me -- is the message of Christ in today's reading.  He's asking us all if we're prepared to meet this calling, this active life of the Kingdom, this place where faith plays the greatest role and gives us our strength.  Jesus and John are quite different figures, but in tomorrow's reading Jesus will go on to explain how they both play their roles for the Kingdom, and how we are to see them both. 

From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force

 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  For this is he of whom it is written:

'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.'

"Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.  For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.  And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

- Matthew 11:7-15

In yesterday's reading,  we read that, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples (regarding their first apostolic mission), He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.  And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:  The blind see and the lame walk:  the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."

 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  For this is he of whom it is written:  'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'  Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."   My study bible explains that in terms of the law of the Old Testament, John is the greatest prophet.  But "the New Covenant inaugurated by Christ is of such incomparable value that everyone who shares in it is, as it were, greater than John.  For by grace through faith under the New Covenant we become children of God and  partakers of the Holy Spirit.  John is honored because (1) he was righteous, (2) he prepared the way for the first coming of the Lord, and (3) he baptized Christ."  I think that the language is interesting here, because rarely does Jesus speak more powerfully than this, in terms of His defense of the Baptist, as He demands to know from the crowds what they expected to see when they were flocking to John to be baptized.  It's almost as if He's shocking them into the realization of what a great figure this man is -- who ministered in the wilderness, clothed in animal skins, and is now locked in prison.  And yet, Jesus promises something much greater.

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force."  My study bible has some particular explanations for this verse:  "Suffers violence may mean that the Kingdom is under attack by opponents of John the Baptist and Jesus, or other violent men -- messianic pretenders trying to bring in the Kingdom by using military force against the Romans.  An ancient patristic interpretation is that the Kingdom itself breaks into this world 'violently' (10:34, a part of Thursday's reading).  For instance, through powerful miracles, alert and daring people take hold of it aggressively.  Whoever is a hearer and lover of the Word of God takes the Kingdom 'by force,' exerting all earnestness and desire to enter the reality of the Kingdom.  For this martyrs shed their blood, making their confession of faith, being 'made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men' (1 Cor. 4:9).  The Kingdom of Heaven belongs not to the sleeping or lazy.  Rather the violent take it by force."

"For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.  And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"  My study bible tells us that the identification between John the Baptist and Elijah is quite explicit here.  It's not John who declares this, but Jesus is the One who assigns John this place in the history of salvation.  "John fulfilled the mission of Elijah (Luke 1:17, 76) and his destiny was similar to Elijah's.  Yet John is honored over Elijah, for Jesus in comparing the prophets said, 'There has not risen one greater than John'" (above, in verse 11).  By declaring John to be "Elijah who is to come" Jesus is also alluding or testifying to His own identity as Messiah, and even affirming His role as judge -- because the return of Elijah was a popular expectation before the coming of the Messiah.

Recent readings emphasize relationship:  the disciples sent out two by two, the teaching they are told to say, "The kingdom of heaven has come near."  Jesus has told them that where they go, He is also -- and that those who receive them receive Him.  They will stay in the homes where they are first welcomed, and their peace will rest on those who will receive it -- but not on those who don't.  The emphasis is on relationship.  And here, too, in today's reading, the emphasis is on relationship.  Because John is "Elijah who is to come" there is a powerful implication for this crowd of people, these multitudes, as to just who Jesus is.  He's come to declare a Kingdom breaking into the world, and John was Elijah returned, its Herald.  What are we to make of this?  The powerful and forceful language isn't that of Jesus as an image of meekness, but one of power.  When He rails to the crowds asking them, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?" He's emphatically preaching the Word using great power.  He's just sent out the Twelve on their first mission, and part of their relatedness to Him is in this powerful Kingdom in which He is judge.  Here, the Baptist who is now locked up in prison, who lived his ministry in the wilderness, is hailed as the greatest of all men born to women, the greatest of the prophets, and Elijah returned.  Jesus speaks of power -- the spiritual power of the Kingdom.   "The kingdom of heaven come near" is right here, it's imminent, it's breaking into the world.  An act of great violence is happening here, but these crowds can't see it; they're being informed of it.  This sort of violence is not the negative violence we normally associate with material violence.  This violence is more akin to that of a kind of spiritual force and power, one that especially encourages us to wake up and to seize the day.  The moment is here.  "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." He's telling the crowds to wake up, and seize what is being offered to them, because only those who really and truly want it will enter.  Jesus has just sent out the Twelve Apostles on their first mission, and they are bringing the Kingdom near wherever they go.  But it is up to those to whom they are sent to minister whether or not they will receive them.  This is an illustration of our capability to act with power, to boldly enter into this kingdom, because it is brought near to us -- and we must respond to that gift.  We must joyfully seize the moment, and make the choice to enter in.  This is an emphatic and bold action as portrayed here in the words of Jesus; it's something for which He encourages us to use our power to take action, to assert what we really want, and to enter.  He's perhaps shocking the crowds out of their complacency, and teaching them that they must wake up, make choices, as others are already doing.  John was a forceful person who preached repentance in preparation for the Kingdom; but those who come after will be greater.  They are those who act on their desire for this Kingdom, who turn passion to God, and to the things of the Kingdom.  In the tradition of the monastic world, this phrase (the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force) is taken to imply spiritual struggle, a life of asceticism for the love of God, for the citizenship in that Kingdom.  It is echoed in St. Paul's words, when he teaches that he has "fought the good fight."  Faith requires our desire, our love for God, for Christ, our willingness also to fight that good fight, and to realize that life calls upon us to make choices all the time.  Jesus comes into the world and breaks His Kingdom into the world, startling all the establishment around Him.  But He calls on us to be like Him in our love for God, in our willingness to make those strong choices to live as He did, to seize this Kingdom by choosing to be a part of it, and to live the life He offers us.  That's not simple; it involves a struggle, a passion for God and God's way of life.  To choose love is often a difficult and even lonely struggle, one that does not call for complacency, and may take us right out of the rules the world sets down for us.  The good fight may ask us to make sacrifice, and to be courageous, to seize the moment that is right before us.  He calls us to be like Him, and to grab hold of this precious, priceless gift He offers.