Search This Blog

Thursday, December 10, 2015

John the Baptist is Elijah

In Thursday of the Second Week of Advent, we find a crazy Gospel reading, Matt.  11: 11-15.  Biblical scholars debate its meaning.  I can only relate what it means to me.
Wood Sculpture of John the Baptist's Head by Santiago Martinez Delgado.

Jesus said to the crowds: "Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he... '

The reason I'm posting this is because of the word, Amen.  Amen means "listen up."  Well, what does it mean that the Baptist is so great, yet also the least in all of heaven?
   I see Jesus talking about His present time.  John was a great prophet, like Elijah, yet he's in prison, right now.  Everyone is greater than anyone in prison.

"From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force.  All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John..."

From the angels battling to Herod taking the Baptist by force has all be prophesied by all the prophets and religious writings.

"And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come..."

Again, Jesus speaking in His time, explained that the coming of Elijah, wasn't what they thought (if you are willing to accept it).  The people expected Elijah to come down from heaven in a flaming chariot.  No, Elijah came as John the Baptist
.

"Whoever has ears ought to hear."

Try to wrap your mind around Jesus' words.

No comments:

Praying from the Heart

 The book I chose for my Lenten reading was Inner Life A Fellow Traveler's Guide to Prayer, by David Torkington.  I finished it this Sun...