intro.html

In yesterday’s passage in Matthew, Jesus is speaking to John’s disciples about his own identity as the Christ. Now he turns to the crowd to speak of John the Baptist’s identity.

Jesus uses strong words of praise for John as a prophet. He says: “That’s right a prophet! Probably the best prophet you will ever hear. He is the prophet that Malachi announced when he wrote,‘I’m sending my prophet ahead of you, to make the road smooth for you.’” (The Message)

Then Jesus turns his attention to the broader context of both John’s and his message and ministry, namely the Reign of God. What he says about those who are least in the Reign of God in comparison to John the Baptist is startling and puzzling. “Let me tell you what’s going on here: No one in history surpasses John the Baptizer; but in the kingdom he prepared you for, the lowliest person is ahead of him.” (The Message)

What does Jesus mean “that the lowliest person is ahead of him (John)”? It is pretty heady stuff for us followers of Jesus. Well, if it means what I think it means, what Jesus has said is both joyous and humbling to his followers whom he wants to lead into the glories of God’s Reign.

I want to share what this verse means to me by turning to a story Malcom Muggeridge told in his book about Mother Teresa, Something Beautiful For God. He writes:

“Accompanying Mother Teresa, as we did, to these different activities for the purpose of filming them – to the Home for the Dying, to the lepers and unwanted children, I found I went through three phases. The first was horror mixed with pity, the second compassion pure and simple, and the third, reaching far beyond compassion, something I had never experienced before – an awareness that these dying and derelict men and women, these lepers with stumps instead of hands, these unwanted children, were not pitiable, repulsive or forlorn, but rather dear and delightful; as might be, friends of long standing, brothers and sisters. How is it to be explained – the very heart and mystery of the Christian faith?” (The Healing Fountain, ed. Betty Thompson, Education Division UMC Bd. Of Global Ministries, 1973, pp.27-8)

I believe that through the ministry of Mother Teresa, Christ drew Malcom Muggeridge into the mystery of God’s Reign alive in a Calcutta slum. He must have felt he was simultaneously lowly and richly blessed in this strange world of God’s Reign of love. Those familiar with Malcom Muggeridge know it changed him and his purpose in life. He went as an atheist and left as a Christian.

That brings us to something else operating in this passage. With his concluding words: “Are you listening to me? Really listening?” Jesus is asking us who we are. Are we those who choose to live as blessed, lowly members in God’s Beloved Community in which derelict men and women, unwanted children, and lepers are seen as brothers and sisters? For after all, Jesus can’t be Messiah to us unless we choose to be with him and follow where he leads us.

PRAYER – Blessed Christ, help us to take sufficient time to listen to and heed your voice that we too shall see and serve the glory of God’s Reign. Amen.