No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.
They tried to provoke John by asking why both he and Jesus were both baptizing. If the one to whom John gave testimony was going to have his disciples perform baptisms ought not John himself step aside from that ministry? Or should not the one who was to come have had something new and different to offer? To the later we can answer that John had already promised that the one who was to come would in fact also baptize, albeit with the Holy Spirit and fire. But if that was beginning to take place ought not John have found a new role and reinvented his ministry in some way? Maybe even he felt this way to some extent. But listen to the humility in what he replied: "No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven". Maybe he would have preferred to do something different, just as he would have not baptized Jesus if left to his own devices. But he knew enough to stick with what had been given him from heaven. If he tried to invent something on its own it would have been without value. As it was, his continued baptizing, even in the vicinity where the disciples of Jesus were also baptizing, led to opportunities such as this where he could testify to Jesus and direct others to follow Jesus rather than John. What a humble ministry it was, where John claimed nothing as his own, but was glad to decrease as he saw his friend the bridegroom increase.
The one who has the bride is the bridegroom;
the best man, who stands and listens for him,
rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice.
So this joy of mine has been made complete.
He must increase; I must decrease.
John might have thought that at least the ministry of baptism could be something uniquely his own. And when it was no longer such he might have insisted that he have something by which he could be known or stand out. But he was wise and humble enough not to be more clever or creative than the God who had revealed his plan to him. What he desired was not to be famous or renowned himself, but rather to make known Jesus, and to point him out as the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. But where did John find joy if not in fame or success? He found it where we are all meant to find it, in "bridegroom's voice". As long as he was permitted to hear that voice, and to help others to hear it, it was enough for him.
The joy of John the Baptist in the voice of the bridegroom was related to the confidence expressed by John the Evangelist in our first reading. They were both based on knowing and Jesus and listening to him. For the John the Evangelist, being rooted in God through Jesus Christ was a power even greater than temptation and sin, a power that, when fully realized was itself eternal life.
We also know that the Son of God has come
and has given us discernment to know the one who is true.
And we are in the one who is true,
in his Son Jesus Christ.
He is the true God and eternal life.
No comments:
Post a Comment