- Rev. Dona Johnson |December 15, 2024
In this 3rd Sunday of Advent, we find John the Baptist in prison. His proclamation of Jesus as the ‘Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’ got him into big trouble with religious authorities. Now things are not going well for the prophet. His disciples come to his cell to inform him that they have seen Jesus in the region. But John has his doubts. Some discredit John’s faith because he doubts. But who wouldn’t have doubts? Stuck deep in a prison cell with the narrow walls closing in on him. In the midst of this cruel punishment, his heart is shaken. John had no way of knowing if this was the man he baptized (Luke 7:18-35).
There were many imposters in those days who claimed they were the messiah. Wanting in the worst way to know who this man was, John sends two of his disciples to ask Jesus who he is. But Jesus never directly answers their question. Instead, Jesus says, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me” (Luke 7:22-23).
Most Christians, unfortunately, do not recognize the significance of Christ’s answer. Thus, it is not a surprise that John asked this question through his disciples. And the answer he got from the Lord was to have an enlightening and healing effect on his intellect, for if blind see, dead are resurrected etc. then it is clear that this Messiah is even greater than any political messiah can be, and if greater, then He is the true Messiah and not anybody lesser; and if this true Messiah does not promote an earthly political agenda (John 18:36), then one has no other choice than to change their mind about the essence of the Messiahship, and understand that the Kingdom which the true Messiah is bringing is not a visible one but a spiritual one (Luke 17:20).
This was a complicated political situation: as is always the case when the Empire reigns. Israel is plagued by social inequity, by vast disparities between the few with wealth and power and the many who are poor and destitute. There was abusive taxation on the poor and paranoia about being arrested for the slightest infraction. In the grand expanse of the Roman Empire, the Jewish people are but a small and politically inconsequential group, trying to hold onto their unique culture and customs while avoiding the disapproving gaze of those who rule over them.
In answering John’s question, Jesus now expands his messianic identity to include healing and restoration. The Messiah comes not as conquering king lording it over on the poor and have-nots. But Jesus identifies with the people who have been marginalized by a corrupt system. The true Messiah is not one who sits in royal luxury, in a palace being served by slaves. No, Jesus comes as a companion to sit with sinners and tax collectors. In a great reversal, the Messiah empties himself of all titles and importance and becomes a slave, a servant to those who are suffering from sin and abuse (Col 2:5-11). Jesus explains that he and John are being condemned for their failure to fit into a fraudulent system and play the games of the religious elite. Both John and Jesus were scandalized for refusing to be aligned with a world system that had grown corrupt at every level. In the eyes of the system, the marginalized population were of little value and expendable.
Since the death and resurrection of Jesus, you might say Christians have been in a long season of advent—waiting and watching for the signs of the second coming and reign of Jesus Christ. As we look out at the overwhelming corruption in our own world, we know all too well that we are need of a Savior.
A good question for all of is is: how do our blind spots make us complicit to the marginalized? In what ways are our convictions about how God should work in the world wrong and lead others discouraged — with God, with others, and/or with ourselves? What type of messiah are we looking for? A messiah that thinks, talks and behaves like us, or a God who sets up a system unlike any we know, a system of radical forgiveness, grace and mercy. Thanks be to God that Jesus Christ is the one who is a friend and companion to sinners! For that is good news for all of us!
- Rev. Dona Johnson |December 15, 2024