Matthew 11:4-15 ~ what you hear and see

 

This song works better by omitting 

the second stanza. Or altering this!

Matthew 11:4-15

4 And Jesus answered them, 

“Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” 

 7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: 

“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

 10 This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. 

Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 

12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, 

he is Elijah who is to come. 

15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Why Do We Spend So Much Time Talking About John The Baptist? Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, gets plenty of attention in our Sunday lectionary readings: he appears twice during Advent and three times throughout the Epiphany! Why is that? To understand John the Baptist, we need to turn to the Old Testament and recall the prophet, Samuel. Samuel was born to a barren woman named Hannah. He grew up in the temple and served as a priest, offering up sacrifices to God on behalf of Israel’s sins (I Sam 7:9). Additionally, before the era of the kings of Israel, Samuel was the last great judge to administer justice in Israel (I Sam 7:15). He had a king-like role before Saul and David, the first kings were appointed. Thus, Samuel was a kind of prophet, priest and king, who anointed David as king of Israel, with his triple authority of prophet, priest and king. John the Baptist is the spitting image of Samuel. He too is a prophet declaring repentance and forgiveness in the wilderness. He too is in the lineage of priests because his father, Zechariah, was a high priest. He too is a judge, calling out Herod for his moral bankruptcy, while declaring comfort and peace to the humble and oppressed. He too was born to a barren mother, Elizabeth. John the Baptist's functions were akin to Samuel's with the triple authority of prophet, priest and king. So, when he baptizes Jesus, he is anointing Jesus, with his triple authority, as the true king of Israel, the son of David, the Son of God, who has returned to take up His rightful throne. For the Israelites back then, waiting with bated breath for their king to return, John the Baptist was a blaring, flashing sign that could not be ignored, pointing to Israel’s long-awaited king. He is vitally important because his presence makes Jesus’ person and ministry crystal clear for those who have dim eyes and dull ears. Yet, there is a second reason why we emphasize John the Baptist. As Christians, we too are called to be blaring, flashing signs, pointing to the king of the World, Jesus, to a world that has dim eyes and dull ears. Our lives are the sign. As the collect for John the Baptist exhorts us, when we speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice and patiently suffer for truth’s sake, we shine like stars and lights in a world filled with darkness. John the Baptist gets plenty of attention in our appointed Sunday lectionary Gospel readings so that we can learn from his example and live like little lights that point to the true Light of the World, Jesus Christ. The Rev. John D. Sundara Vicar for Worship and Evangelism If you know someone who would like to receive our daily devotions, please forward your copy to a friend. If you would like to reply to this devotional, please email the Rev. John Sundara at jsundara@smec.org.

St. Martin's Episcopal Church | 717 Sage Road | Houston, TX 77056 US

Abba, Father,

Our Father, Who is in Heaven

Come to us, Father. 

Come to us, Holy Spirit. 

Come to us, Jesus Christ.

Help us

each day

to see the Joy and Adventure

Jesus Christ sees

in John 14, 15, 16 and John 17.

To Be more Heaven on earth

To see more Heaven on earth

To say more Heaven on earth.

and

to Bless more Heaven on earth.

Every Day.

In the retirement of President Joe Biden,

Thank You

 for his endorsement

enabling all the Americans 

voting for him, to receive

their vote instead of 

an abandonment of their Primary Votes

to elites 

merely dictating.

Each day to

promote what is Good

what is Heavenly

what is a Blessing.

Father, in Heaven, Thank You,

Abide 

in every moment

 of our Lives.

The Lord God

Father of All

Saving the world

One moment at a time!!!

Eternally.

The Safety of 

one

who has faithfully

served this Nation.

And is Loved. 

Safety in

our homes.

Safety in

our Nation.

Thank God,

for His Healing,

for your prayers, Kurt,

the worthy doctor, we prayed for

had to come home from brain West Nile rehab

due to Hurricane Beryl.

Kurt

 is back walking, sitting, 

climbing the stairs

and eating. 

Since coming home as bedridden in rehab

to home to

his wonderful family and beloved wife.

God is GOOD!

Jesus is GOOD!

The Holy Spirit is GOOD!

We pray for the healing

of our Nation,

Nations.

The Grace, Mercy and Love

for 

our Jesus Christ

His Father

and Holy Spirit

to prevail,

establish

and

fill

all our families

the ill blessed

with His

Love

and Word of Healing.

Are we the takers in life,

not helping our culture,

friends,

the people who know us,

our world,

to know

what God

would want us to have to say

and do.

We create the culture

in the Light of our life.

Let us 

be Lights for the Lord.

With just our lives.

Eternal God, 

in whose perfect Kingdom no sword is drawn

but the sword of righteousness, 

no strength known but the

strength of Love: 

So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, 

that

All

peoples 

may be gathered under the banner 

of the Prince of Peace,

Jesus Christ

As children 

of one Father; 

to Whom be dominion 

and

glory, now and forever. 

Amen.

Thank You. Jesus.

Our God is working. His Son,

Jesus is working.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

YES, Bless the Lord Jesus

Thank You, Jesus