The Messenger

 Luke 7: 24-30

Who Did You Go To See?

²⁴ After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? ²⁵ If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. ²⁶ But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ²⁷ This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way before you.’^[a]

²⁸ I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

²⁹ (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. ³⁰ But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)

Jesus had great respect for his cousin John and affirmed his mission as the one who would prepare his way.  John lived an ascetic life and pushed attention from himself to Jesus.  He was humble, yet forceful, clear about who he was and what he was called to do.  A leader, a "people mover."  Would that he were alive and active today!  Yet he can be, if we take on the role given to us at Baptism: to be living Christs in our present world, to be leaders attracting others to Christ.  May we embrace this role with the bravery, audacity and courage of John.

Bro. Rene