God’s hippie
‘Tell me, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes indeed, but you saw much more than a prophet, for John is the one of whom the scripture says: “God said, I will send my messenger ahead of you to open the way for you!’ I tell you,’ Jesus added, ‘John is greater than anyone who has ever lived. But the one who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than John.’ (verses 26-28)
Read Luke 7: 18-35
John and Jesus were both at work, each following the path laid out for him by God. Now in prison, John wasn’t so sure about Jesus. He was wondering if Jesus was the one sent by God. So he sent his disciples to check it out. They saw what Jesus was doing, how he cured people, and they were reassured about who he was. Then Jesus said to them, ‘How happy are those who have no doubts about me!’, words that are helpful also for you at times.
The crowd of people with Jesus had seen and heard John. He was a weirdo, a hippie, a strange spectacle out in the desert. But what he was saying was making a difference in people’s lives. God’s prophets (preachers) today can also make a difference in people’s lives – and in your life. Just as John prepared the way for Jesus and helped people to be ready for him, so today’s preachers enable you to hear how Christ has prepared for you the way to God, and they help you walk that path.
As is typical of Jesus, he says that the ‘least’ in God’s kingdom is greater than the really great John! John was the one who bridged the gap between the Old Testament and the New. But he didn’t become a citizen of the kingdom of God that Christ came to establish. He was still part of the old system. You are a part of the new kingdom established by Jesus, and in this way you are greater than John. You are great in God’s eyes, through Jesus.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being prepared to die for me to bring me into God’s kingdom. Overcome my doubts, and keep my faith in you strong. Amen.
by Alicia Simpfendorfer, in ‘God’s Peace for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2005)
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