As mentioned in Part I of this series, and based on Matthew 11:1-30, with emphasis on verses 12-13, the word translated forceful in the NIV is also translated violent in other versions. Other Parts emphasized the colossal influence both John and Jesus wielded, Jesus more powerfully by preaching a positive message.
Neither man, whatever his message, proved acceptable to Israel. John they saw as a man of the desert, too severely ascetic to understand what living in community entailed. And Jesus as too social, even eating with the outcasts of society AND lifting a cup in the company of the Upper Classes. The entire nation couldn’t fathom that John’s message of repentance prepared listeners to accept their sinfulness despite being religious. Which in turn would open their minds to accept Jesus, who came expressly to “seek and to save what was lost” Luke 19:10, and to give his “life as a ransom for many” Mark 10:48. Which included those who considered their social position exempted them from sins so prevalent in common people. Just like today: the financially prosperous and socially prominent consider it their good fortune not to be like others. It included also anyone in any stage of sin, from the intellectual snob to the immorally corrupt. To empower John’s call to repentance of a people who felt themselves exempt, and Christ’s claim to succeed Moses to a people who felt he couldn’t be replaced, demanded the KIND of men they WERE: original in their thinking, robust in their spiritual confidence, clear in their grasp of spiritual truth, the depository of rare spiritual commitment to God’s truth and overflowing with God’s wisdom as only his holy prophets could be. It’s clear that John recruited disciples loyal to his position: those willing to condemn, correct and debate issues John 3:25. Who felt John had the ultimate reputation in religion and resented Christ’s greater popularity John 3:26. Who felt so strongly the need to preserve traditional interpretations of Jewish traditions that they sided with disciples of the leaders against Jesus Matthew 9:14-17. And, BY THE WAY, the Baptist’s influence continued to be felt in the Roman world when Paul evangelized Acts 13:24-25. It even led to the first case of a Baptist becoming a Christian only Acts 19:1-7. End Part X
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
May 2024
Categories
All
|