Repent!

Even though John had been preaching and baptizing for a number of years, and even though he had baptized Jesus, he had his moments of doubt. He sent his disciples to Jesus to confirm that he was indeed the Christ that was to come. Jesus didn’t just say, “You got it. I’m the one.” He let the messengers watch as he healed sicknesses, as he cast out evil spirits, and as he gave sight to the blind. Then he sent a message back to John: “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: 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.” Luke 7:22

Jesus was using words similar to the prophecies in Isaiah: “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.” Isaiah 35:5-6 and “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.” Isaiah 61:1 He was assuring John that these prophesies were being fulfilled and that he was indeed the Christ.

John the Baptist was no ordinary man. He was special – set apart to prepare the way for Jesus. He attracted many people to his ministry – first because they were curious. “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 expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? 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, among those born of women, there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.’” Luke 7:24-28

They may have come to see the strange guy out in the desert. But as the people heard the words of the prophet, they repented and began to look to God. It was a repentance that opened their eyes and ears to hear and see what God was doing. It was a repentance that humbled them before their God.

“(All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)” Luke 7:29-30

I wonder what getting dipped in water by John has to do with whether or not the people believed Jesus teaching. In what ways did John prepare the way for Jesus? Those baptized by John acknowledged that God’s ways were right when they heard Jesus teaching. But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected Jesus’ teaching. What was the difference that separated the people from the Pharisees and experts in the law?

John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance, a humbling of one’s heart before God and acknowledging him as Lord of their life. It was a softening of the heart in order for them to hear and see what God was doing among them. John prepared them for the coming of Christ by helping them repent and humble themselves before God, their Maker.

The Pharisees and experts in the law refused to humble themselves before God. They were living on their self-righteousness. So while the people were seeing Immanuel, God with Us, the Pharisees and experts in the law were seeing a renegade rabbi who kept breaking their laws. They could not see what God was doing because they were truly blind. They could not hear what God was saying because they were truly deaf. Rather than preaching good news to the poor, they were becoming wealthy at the expense of the poor.

It seems that Jesus is showing us that if we want to have our eyes opened to see what God is doing among us, we need first to repent and humble ourselves before our Maker. If we think we can understand it because of our great studies, memorizations of Scripture, and being careful to follow the Law, we are fooling ourselves. God is all about relationship – from Adam and Eve, through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, through the prophets, through Jesus coming as a man, and through eternity. Haughty self-fulfillment does not lead to good relationships. Humble acts of kindness build relationships. And God showed the way. “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:8

Once again, Lord, I realize that I cannot learn to know you more by my self-righteousness. My righteousness is ‘like filthy rags’ compared to your goodness. I need you, Lord. As I humble myself before you today, please open my eyes to see what you are doing and open my ears to hear your voice so that I can follow you well. I love you, Lord. Amen.