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Bible In A Year- John's Messengers Inquire of Jesus

In our daily lives, we frequently hear about various individuals of notoriety looking to make a difference in the world: famous researchers, politicians, religious figures, and personalities seeking to make a positive impact through a litany of means. Some give, some develop new medicines, some enact policy change, and others work for social reform. For all the suffering in the world, there are a great many seeking to relieve it. 

What, then, differentiates us as members of the Church? How are Christ, His mother, and the saints different from the many great people we see today?

For Orthodox Christians, Jesus is more than a “great man.” He is not simply a philosopher, a philanthropist, or even another in the line of prophets: He is, in the confession of the Apostle Peter, “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 

In this excerpt from Luke’s Gospel, the imprisoned John the Baptist sends forth his disciples in order to determine just who Jesus is. How does Jesus answer their inquiry? What does He reveal about the role of the Baptist? How and why does Jesus critique the “men of this generation”? What might it mean that “wisdom is justified by all her children”?

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John’s Messengers Inquire of Jesus

Luke 7:18-35

18 Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things. 19 And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

20 When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’” 21 And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.

22 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. 23 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

24 When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written:

‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’

28 For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

29 And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.

31 And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:

‘We played the flute for you,
    And you did not dance;
We mourned to you,
    And you did not weep.

33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 But wisdom is justified by all her children.”

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Blessed reading!

- Anthony

 

Anthony Ladas is a student at Fordham University and currently an intern for Y2AM.