In his ministry Jesus is not hacking dead branches off the family tree of Israel nor winnowing hypocrites from among repentant sinners as John expected the messiah would. Jesus is so different from the axe-wielding, chaff-winnowing judge that John expected that he has to send messengers to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or do we look for another?”
Jesus’ answer echoes the prophet Second Isaiah, who envisions a very different messiah than the one John preaches—a messiah who brings healing and life rather than judgment.
Jesus’ answer also describes the ministry and mission he has sent his disciples to continue. “Go after the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news. ‘The reign of God has come near.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons” (Matthew 10.6-8).
As messiah, Jesus reveals the compassionate heart of God. He does not come to exert destructive judgmental power over a suffering people but to bring wholeness and salvation. This gospel calls Matthew’s community and us today to examine our expectations of God’s reign and receive the blessing Jesus extends to all who do not stumble at his mission of compassion but continue his life-giving work.
- Where do your expectations of God stand on a continuum between winnowing judge and compassionate healer?
- How have your expectations of God changed?
Perhaps Jesus speaks to tensions in the Christian community for which Matthew writes in the A.D. 80s. Perhaps some of John’s disciples follow Jesus but defend the Baptist’s greatness or echo his voice of judgment rather than live Jesus’ call to compassion.
Jesus insists that anyone who truly lives the mystery of Christian discipleship is greater than John the Baptist. Yet, John is no blade of grass fluttering in the wind, no palace bureaucrat, but a prophet, a relentless seeker, a voice of repentance greater than anyone else. No prophet, even John, envisions God becoming one of us.
If John’s disciples understand his heart, they will measure their importance not in status or fame but in attentiveness to seeking the holy in their midst. If the disciples of Jesus Christ understand the heart of their leader, they will find their power in self-giving.
Both John and Jesus are prophets and servants of God. They are not self-serving persons who gather and use power for earthly rewards. Both leaders teach that the reign of God comes through conversion of heart. Jesus calls us to bring others the compassion of God as he does. He calls us to be prophets of healing and hope.
Jesus comes among us not as a powerful king or an apocalyptic judge but as a healing servant. We celebrate every Christmas the surprise of God sending a human baby to embody God’s own power and presence.
- What are you seeing with new eyes or hearing with open ears this Advent?
- How are your actions preaching Jesus’ good news?
- What hopeful actions can you bring to those you love this season?
- What judgments of others might you let go?