Matthew 11:2-11
Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is he who takes no offense at me.”
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? Why then did you go out? To see a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who wear soft raiment are in kings’ houses. Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is he of whom it is written, `Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.’
Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Homily:
The above passage tells of
Doubt – “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
Reassurance – “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them”.
Reprimand and Realignment – “And blessed is he who takes no offense at me”.
John was a firebrand preacher and because he knew he was a forerunner, he expected something more radical to follow. He did not expect a calm after his storm, but a bigger, mightier wave.
Jesus understood, acknowledged and appreciated the greatness of John – “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist”.
Jesus also understood, needed to clarify in clear terms and reinforce the message, that true greatness did not exist here on earth, but in heaven – “Yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Thus, the purpose of his ministry and sacrifice was not greatness on earth, but to turn people to righteousness and admit them into heaven.
“Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”” Luke 5:31-32
John got the message.