John the Baptist Prepares the Way - Bible Reflections - The Absolute Need for Mercy

By Tony Joe:

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 3:1-12:

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"

It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: "A voice of one crying out in the desert, 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.'"

John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. 

And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 

Even now the axe lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 

I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.

His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

John the Baptist Prepares the Way - Bible Reflections:

The Absolute Need for Mercy:

In today's Gospel reading we read about the unique ministry of John the Baptist, and we find that in as much as this prophet was different so was his ministry.

If there was one word to describe both the man and his ministry it was this - fiery!

While his early exit from life has made many later day Christians like us to underestimate John and his contributions, Christ's own words stand testimony for John - "...among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist...".

Why did Jesus place John above all prophets who came before him?

There were several reasons for John's elevated stature. Firstly, Jesus knew that John was ordained by God to be the "...voice of one crying out in the desert, 'Prepare the way of the Lord'..." as prophesied by Isaiah.

Secondly, John himself was fully aware of what he had been called for by God, which is a unique trait of spiritual greats.

Thirdly, John the Baptist's life was befitting to his calling; he led a life of flawless purity, a perfectly ascetic life in which everything was controlled - from his home to his dress to his food, that eliminated even traces of comfort.

In fact, he led a life that was more than befitting to his calling.

The next unique factor that elevated John's stature was his absolute courage. Just listen to how he takes on the highly learned Pharisees as well as the rich and elite Sadducees who virtually controlled the Jerusalem Temple. He calls them, "You brood of vipers!", even when they approach him for repenting their sins and getting baptised by him.

John's awareness of spiritual truths is also second to none, which is evident from the penance he advocated to all those who repented and got baptized - "Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance."

His faith is also seen as towering above his community's faith. He takes on their adulterated faith that they are the chosen people by stating in unmistakable terms that - "God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones."

It is also perfectly clear to him that the baptism by Jesus would rank higher, because it would be by the Holy Spirit.

Next in line comes the success of his ministry which was further proof of God's hand working with him.

Make no mistake about this, there indeed was a time when John was multi-times more popular than Jesus Himself! And this was some achievement, given that he was almost of the same age as Jesus, with their ministries also beginning almost simultaneously.

Today's Gospel passage provides three solid proofs for his ministry's success - almost the whole of Israel was coming to him for baptism; even the Pharisees and Sadducees were coming to him; and lastly, John could also make the people acknowledge their sins! 

These were not mean feats by any measure, and Jesus knew it perfectly.

And unlike Jesus whose ministry was characterised by reaching out to people by visiting their towns, villages, and even homes, John commanded an elevated respect or stature that made people visit him, travelling from all over Israel, to near the Jordan river where he was giving his baptism of repentance.

Literally, John the Baptist ran a one-man pilgrimage centre near the Jordan river!

Now it is time to note the greatest reason for John's greatness - despite being so successful and despite wielding such immense power to sway the masses, he doesn't waver a bit from the only reason for his ministry, which is just to be a voice that prepares the people for Jesus! He doesn't modify his ministry for selfish ends at all!

Also note the genuine humbleness in his words - "I am not worthy to carry his sandals."

However, despite all these great traits, John the Baptist would later develop doubts about Jesus, as recorded later on in the Gospels. Why, we may wonder, and the reason is really hidden in today's Gospel passage.

It is hidden in his understanding about the nature of Christ's ministry - "His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

In other words, John was expecting Jesus to be a tough taskmaster with absolutely no mercy towards sinners.

But see how Jesus unravelled His Ministry, the Kingdom of God - its most distinguishing factor being mercy towards sinners!

John apparently couldn't digest the mercy of Jesus, and it is solely based on this confusion, that he develops doubts about Jesus.

And this nonacceptance of divine mercy is what made Jesus to add about John the Baptist that, "...but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John."

It is not in mercy or charity towards the poor that John erred, for he is the great who taught us first that, "He who has two dresses, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”

His mistake was rather only in his lack of understanding about the need for mercy towards sinners.

This should make all of us introspect whether we too are guilty of this shortcoming - lack of mercy towards sinners. 

Because, Jesus makes it unequivocally clear that those without mercy towards sinners - and by extension, those without mercy towards our enemies - won't qualify for the Kingdom of Heaven.