What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Mt. 11:7-9
This Scripture is very meaningful; it is about John the Baptist questioning Jesus if He is the messiah. The way Jesus responds to this inquiry was most profound, He proclaims “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” This was directed to John and it verifies his true faith in Jesus Christ. John is an intelligent man, he sees the divine light radiating from Jesus. After this, Jesus begins to speak to crowd about John the Baptist. He begins by asking "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see?” this means: “what compelled you to go into the desert?” Next, Jesus asks to the crowd “A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. Then what did you go out to see?” this means: “you were searching for something much more than a rich man, my children what did you go out to look for?” After this He proposed “A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
"I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he”, this means: “yes, you searched for a prophet, much more than a prophet. A prophet that would come to light the way for you in the future. John the Baptist is a goodly man, but the one who is least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.” Jesus is explaining that He is the messiah that has come to prepare the way, by all his miracles, signs, love and grace, and healing, He did just this.
Jesus came teaching all people, performing miracles, and preaching the good news of the gospel. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “By freeing some individuals from the earthly evils of hunger, injustice, illness and death, Jesus performed messianic signs. Nevertheless he did not come to abolish all evils here below, but to free men from the gravest slavery, sin, which thwarts them in their vocation as God’s sons an causes all forms of human bondage.” (CCC 549) Yes, Jesus came to earth with a mission, to save all men from their sin. The miracles and signs he performed gave testimony to the authenticity of his mission. In addition to that, it affirmed him as the chosen messiah, the Christ of God. His miracles were not meant to totally rid the world of evil, but to give us hope that his power is great enough, that, with his help, we can resist all evil and so become stronger through Christ.
The core value of Mathew 11:2-11 is reliance in divine providence. Reliance on divine Providence means that God is active and present in our lives. Reliance on Divine providence is prevalent value in Mathew 11:2-11 because John the Baptist is wondering if Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus shows him that he is God’s son by telling him he the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised. Jesus shows his appreciation for John the Baptists by saying that Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he, which showed that John’s love foe God was so strong that he though of him as great. How do you make God an active and visible part of your life? Do you seek Jesus as John the Baptist did? How are you a part of Christ’s healing ministry?
Prayer to Divine Providence
O Sweet and Tender Providence of God, into Thy hands I commend my spirit, to Thee I abandon myself, my hopes, my fears, my desires, my repugnances, my temporal and eternal prospects. To Thee I commit the wants of my perishable body, to Thee I commit the far more precious interests of my immortal soul, for whose interests I have nothing to fear while I withdraw it not from Thy bosom. Though my faults are many, my misery great, my spiritual poverty extreme, my hope in Thee surpasses all. It is greater than my difficulties, stronger than death. Though temptations should assail me, I will hope in Thee, though I should sink beneath my weakness, I will hope in Thee still, though I should break my resolutions a thousand times, I will look to Thee confidently for grace to keep them at last; though Thou shouldst slay me, even then will I trust Thee, for Thou art my God, my Father and my Friend. Thou art my kind, my tender, my indulgent Parent, and I am Thy loving Child, who cast myself into Thy Arms and beg Thy blessing, who put my trust in Thee, and so trusting, shall never be confounded.
Providence did provide. Providence can provide. Providence will provide. O loving Providence of God we commit this cause to Thee.
------From the Precious Blood and Mother Prayer book
I thought that this is an interesting way of looking at this passage. To think that Jesus is saying that the greatest man ever born is John the Baptist and yet all in Heaven are greater. It is a mystery. It also is a great representation of John's great trust in Jesus. he has no doubts of the true nature of Jesus, but seeks to reassure his own disciples of the authenticity of Christ's mission. Jesus knows this and so directs his answer to John's disciples making them recall the scriptures which prophesied his coming and his mission, not as a military leader but as a healer and a teacher. He as good as tells them "I am the messiah" when he says, "And there is something greater than John here."
ReplyDeleteI thought this bible passage was a special event. I thought it was special because God is great and talks about John the Baptist as being the greatest man ever born. It is hard to imagine what John was thinking at this moment. I think John the Baptist was both very excited and very scared. I think he would have been excited that God has chosen him to be a great man but also scared because God would expect you to alwas follow the law. One thing that can be said for fact was John the Baptist was a great man
ReplyDeleteI thought this passage was very important and meaningful. I liked this passage because it showed that Jesus thought John the Baptist was a great man. What i learned from this passage is that everyone needs someone to look up to, a role model. Even Jesus had someone to look up to -John the Baptist. Everyone needs a John the Baptist in their lives to keep them on the path of righteousness. I like this passage very much.
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