MUSINGS - February 17, 2019
WHAT DID YOU GO TO SEE?
Matthew 11:7-15
As they were leaving, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John. "What did you go into the desert to see? Tall grass swaying in the wind? Really, what did you go to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Those who wear fine clothes are in royal palaces. "Really, what did you go to see? A prophet? Let me tell you that he is far more than a prophet. John is the one about whom Scripture says, 'I'm sending my messenger ahead of you to prepare the way in front of you.' "I can guarantee this truth: Of all the people ever born, no one is greater than John the Baptizer. Yet, the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John. From the time of John the Baptizer until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful people have been seizing it. All the Prophets and Moses' Teachings prophesied up to the time of John. If you are willing to accept their message, John is the Elijah who was to come. Let the person who has ears listen!
Jesus asked the crowd why they took the time and trouble to go all the way into the wilderness. It was not for the scenery. They went to see John. They didn't go to him because he dressed like a rich man or a ruler. They didn't go to see a confused man who changed his mind and his message. He was not like a reed blowing in the wind. His message remained the same. That message was to make themselves ready for the Kingdom of God.
When Jesus said, "Let the person who has ears listen!" he was telling them to really think deeply about what he was saying. If they would understand that John was Elijah, then Jesus was the Messiah and the King in that Kingdom of God.
I will ask, why do people go to church? Do they go for the spectacle, to be entertained? Do they go to be seen by other people as religious people? Do they go to raise their status in the community? Do they go to listen and learn? Do they go expecting an encounter with God?
Now I ask, why do you go to church?
All the blog posts in one place
All content (except quotations) ©2019 Thomas E. Williams
No comments:
Post a Comment