The Gospel for The Third Sunday of Advent (December 12, 2004)
Matthew 11:2-11
Now John had heard in prison what Christ was doing and he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to expect someone else?’ Jesus answered, ‘Go back and tell John what you hear and see; the blind see again, and the lame walk, those suffering from virulent skin–diseases are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life and the good news is proclaimed to the poor; and blessed is anyone who does not find me a cause of falling.’ As the men were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the people about John, ‘What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes? Look, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces. Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says: Look, I am going to send my messenger in front of you to prepare your way before you. ‘In truth I tell you, of all the children born to women, there has never been anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. -- The New Jerusalem Bible. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1995, c1985
A Study
An overview of commentaries yields the following hypotheses about John Baptist's motivation for dispatching messengers to Jesus:
- despite having been a witness to the Voice at Jesus' baptism, John is disheartened that the One Who came to free the prisoners lets the Baptist languish in Herod Antipas' dungeon at Machaerus, and John is looking for some help, in doubt;
- John is asking for a Word of encouragement;
- or, John has sent his disciples to see -- at Jesus' own feet -- the mighty works that only the Christ could perform.
Jesus completely endorses the Baptist not only to the Baptist's disciples, but also to the assembled crowd -- and goes on to say that an earthly great one is nothing compared to the least in the kingdom.
A Reflection
If John had been expressing some doubt, was that a bad thing? Probably not. Craig Blomberg, in the New American Commentary, quotes Edward Schweizer:
But we should recognize that “open and inquiring doubt was taken very seriously” by the early church and that “if faith is not simply assent to a proposition but life with God, then it can live only by increasing and decreasing, in experiences that strengthen or endanger it.”
After I recognized that I would not be struck dead for questioning the gospels, but would be lifted up, their multiple layers of truth began to enlighten me, and to paraphrase Walter Brueggemann, they changed me so that, now, every time I read them, I come to them as a changed person with a different viewpoint, and am able to perceive additional meaning.
We should, I think, apply the same doubt to the pronouncements made by religious authorities, as was suggested in a comment the other day. If their motives are pure, the authorities will shine even more brightly in the bright light. Words that sound "wrong" often are wrong, and can be spoken more from fear than belief.
The Collect
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
2:41:48 PM 
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