The John the Baptist who appears in the Gospel we just heard from the eleventh chapter of Matthew is far cry from the John we are used to hearing about in Advent. The John we are used to hearing about is out in the wilderness, wearing strange clothes and eating weird things. Attracting crowds of people, calling out their hypocrisy, and baptizing them left and right in the Jordan.
The John we are used to hearing about is bold, and confident, and so clear about who he is and what he is about. He is the forerunner who prepares the way for the one who is more powerful than he; who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Who will harvest wheat, winnow out chaff, and burn it with unquenchable fire. The John we are used to hearing about recognizes Jesus instantly when he shows up for baptism. This is the one that they have all been waiting for! They being God’s long-suffering, brokenhearted, defeated people, whose prophets have promised that a Messiah will come and restore them to greatness and make them a light to the nations.
The John we are used to hearing about was center stage in last week’s Gospel. But a lot can happen in a week, right? (read more)
