Contents
Introduction
In his book “The Quest for the Messiah”, J. Painter explores the seething and confused expectations of the first century and why John consider these so significant and important for any understanding of human life in the world. John places the search for the messiah at the inception of the Gospel (cf. John 1:19–51). In John 1:19–20, the search for the messiah is clearly indicated. Here also, we find for the first time the Jewish term maµsûia generally transliterated messias and normally translated in Greek as Christos (cf. John 1:41). The numerous events of John 1:19 show that the desire for a Messiah was widespread among various groups of people. It is in this context that we have to understand the inquiry which John the Baptist asked his disciples to make concerning the advent of the messiah.
Who is the Messiah?
Jesus had just begun his messianic activity in Galilee when Herod Antipas (ruler of Galilee) imprisoned John the Baptist who rebuked him for an illicit marriage (cf. Matt 4:12; 14:1–12). Jesus’ deeds/works (Greek: ta erga) are in line with that of the expected messiah and so, John the Baptist though in prison, wanted to know more concerning the identity of Jesus as regards the messiah. Jesus’ deeds were made known to John the Baptist through his disciples (cf. Luke 7:18). To the question: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect/wait for another”, Jesus did not give a categorical answer. That is, he did not answer yes or no. Instead, he asked the two disciples to go back to their master (John the Baptist) and report to him what they heard and saw. That is, they should go back to him and tell him that “The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news proclaimed to them.” (Matt 11:5). This is a full realization of Jesus’ program as enunciated in Luke 4:18–19.
Conclusion
Have you recognized the Messiah? Have we recognized the Saviour? Or are you still searching for him? The Baptist’s attitude of sending his disciples to Jesus to find out if he is the Messiah or not, should not surprise us. Like the Jews, he also had his personal expectations of the Messiah. There is something strange about Christians. They believe in God and at the same time, they do not believe. Like the disciples of Jesus, they are the same that believe and the same that equally doubt (cf. Matt 28:16–17). One of the attributes of God is omnipresence. But many Christians believe there are particular places to go so as to obtain God’s blessings and the so-called miracle. And this attitude leads to many queer things and behaviours.
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SUNDAY REFLECTIONS” (vols. I‑II-III)!! The reflection for the 3rd Sunday of Advent is found in The Word of Life, vol. I, pages 21–27. Happy reading!
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