Advent Readings: Luke 7

Luke 7

One of the most controversial passages in the whole Gospel is the sending of the messengers by John the Baptizer. He sends them with a question: “are you the one? Or should we wait for another?” We know that he jumped in the womb of Elizabeth, he was the one who pointed to Jesus saying: “This is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,” he was the one who baptized Jesus and saw the dove descending on the Messiah… There are so many facts describing faithfulness of John.

Then why did he send his disciples with the question. I believe we have one of the most glorious examples of a disciple promoting the Master, the LORD. John sent his followers to see for themselves Who is in front of them. The One who would help the blind to receive sight, the lame to walk, who cleansed the lepers, and deaf received their hearing, death were raised up and the good news was preached to the poor [of spirit] (Lk. 7:22). John tells them to ask the question from the first person: “should WE wait another?” And the answer is no, you shouldn’t for “blessed is the one who is not offended by me” (Lk. 7:23).

Even in prison, even fighting for life, even under pressure St. John the Baptizer points everyone to Jesus the Messiah. Not to himself, not appointing the successor from among his followers, none of that. Living or dying he completes his task – helping the world to recognize and follow the One who came to save the world.