The Answer is No (and Yes)

John 1:19-23, CEB

This is John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?”

John confessed (he didn’t deny but confessed), “I’m not the Christ.”

They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”

John said, “I’m not.”

“Are you the prophet?”

John answered, “No.”

They asked, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

John replied,

“I am a voice crying out in the wilderness,

    Make the Lord’s path straight,

    just as the prophet Isaiah said.”

                The pharisees are asking the right questions.  They are wanting to know if John the Baptist is, or at least thinks he is, the Messiah. If not the Messiah, is John the figure of Elijah returning or “the prophet (ie…a prophet like Moses),” both of who are expected to precede the arrival of the messiah.  It’s important not to skip ahead in this story with which many are familiar.  We want to demonize the pharisees because we know that they ultimately reject Jesus.  But in this first mention of them in this gospel, they are asking good questions. 

                Our focus, at this point, should be on John’s answer, which might have been a bit confusing to those who were asking the questions.  John quotes Isaiah 40:3.  Here is that verse:

                A voice is crying out:

“Clear the Lord’s way in the desert!

                  Make a level highway in the wilderness for our God!

The reason why this is confusing is that to quote this prophecy is to make the claim that what John is doing is indeed in preparation for the messiah.  John’s witness is that he is not the messiah, Elijah returning, or “the prophet.”  However, John is claiming that the messiah is indeed coming and John’s call is to prepare the way. 

                The author of John seems to be pointing out that although the pharisees are asking the right questions, their expected answers will get in the way of truly perceiving what is going on with John the Baptist and then later Jesus.  John the Baptist doesn’t “check the boxes” on the Pharisees’ messiah test.  However, if they are really listening, John the Baptist’s answer should prompt them to ask more questions.  Next time, we will see that they do just that.

Questions:  What expectations do you have of Jesus?  Does Jesus always cooperate with those expectations?

Prayer:  God, forgive us when our expectations of what and how you will do something get in the way of perceiving what you are actually doing.  Open our eyes, mind and heart to the movement of Your Spirit. Amen.

Prayer Focus:  Pray for safety in the city of New Orleans this weekend where the Super Bowl will be held.

Song:  Open My Eyes – Jesse Manibusan