Questioning God in The Second Person
- davidwperk
- Dec 20, 2024
- 7 min read
Devotional Reflection, Friday, December 20, 2024
The week of the third Sunday in Advent
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:
11:2When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ 4Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.’
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 938)
AM Psalm 40, 54; PM Psalm 51
Isa. 10:5-19; 2 Pet. 2:17-22; Matt. 11:2-15
Ember Day See this link for an explanation.
Today we celebrate the Feast of Katharina von Bora Luther. (See below.)
David's Reflections
Today’s Gospel finds John the Baptist arrested and imprisoned by Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great and ruler of Galilee and Perea (areas in northern and eastern Palestine). The Gospels relate the story of John's confronting Herod regarding his illicit relationship with Herodias, his sister-in-law, as the reason for John’s confinement. Josephus, the Jewish historian of that period, notes how Herod felt that John's popularity threatened the stability of his realm, which hints of a political edge in John's message of the coming Kingdom of God and his calls for an end to oppression, a call especially prevalent in Luke’s witness to John’s preaching (Luke 3).
In today’s reading, John sends messengers from prison to inquire whether Jesus was the Coming One or whether they should expect another. You will remember from yesterday's reading John's having predicted that the Messiah would execute judgment on the oppressors and free the oppressed. We cannot be sure what prompted John’s question. Did he not see Jesus as the One Who Comes originally? Or, did he see Jesus as the One Who Comes and feel disappointed in the way Jesus’ mission was unfolding?
Eduard Schweizer comments on this text. "It is not the (person) man stricken by doubts who stumbles but the (person) man no longer stricken by the question of Jesus.”+ John certainly was stricken by the question of Jesus and he evidently had his doubts.
Jesus' responded with subtlety. He listed, by reference several Isaiah texts and allusions to Elijah and Elisha in Kings, the events that would mark the coming of the kingdom of God, "the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them." Most of the citation comes from Isaiah 35. The last phrase comes from Isaiah 61, the prophecy of the deliverance of the captives.
Jesus did not answer John's question directly, but indirectly he was suggesting that John revise his expectations. The deliverance that was happening was true to Isaiah's vision but not in line with John's expectations. A simple “yes” or “no” answer to his question would have obviated John’s responsibility to reflect and come to greater faith.
Two aspects of this text particularly strike me. First, John addressed his uncertainty directly to Jesus. "Are YOU the Coming One." he asked. How different from the approach I have so often taken, what I call the "third person diatribe." That is, I talk about God in the third person, "Why doesn't HE do something?" "Why did SHE let this happen?" Not very conducive to a conversation is it? For God to get in a word requires interrupting my conversation with myself and/or others. "Excuse me, my child. Are you talking about me?”, God might have to say.
Do you feel free to take your frustrated expectations and doubts directly to God? Will lightening strike if you expose your true feelings directly in God’s hearing? John trusted Jesus' integrity enough to put the question directly to him. Pouring out our complaints directly to God would itself be a step of faith in the face of uncertainty. The Psalms are full of laments, complaints poured out directly to God (see Psalm 22, 77). Jeremiah was the prophet of the lament (See Jeremiah 15 and 20 for examples). What a refreshing concept--being honest with God and trusting God's compassionate and loving response.
Second, Jesus responded gently. He even affirmed the greatness of John as a prophet immediately after receiving John's question. He gave John a subtle piece of encouragement that would bolster his faith without removing the need for faith. John would have to reflect on Jesus' response, revise his expectations, and reaffirm his faith.
Would Jesus respond to you and me in that same way, affirming us and seeking to encourage your faith in the face of your questions and complaints? Helmut Thielicke once observed, “It is good to express our real difficulties with God's fatherliness frankly and openly. Indeed, it is part of his fatherhood that he allows us to speak in this way and does not reject us. It is part of the good news of the gospel that there is a Father to whom we can tell our doubts, even out doubts whether there is a Father.”*
It so encourages me to know that God will respond to my uncertainties in ways similar to Jesus’ response to John. OK, Lord, "Why did you . . . . ?
+Eduard Schweizer, The Good News According to Matthew, trans. David E. Green (Atlanta: John Knox, 1975), p. 257.
*Helmut Thielicke, Our Heavenly Father, p. 24. (sentences reversed in orig context)
Collect of the Day, The Third Sunday of Advent
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 212)
For the Ministry: Ember Days: II. For the choice of fit persons for the ministry
O God, you led your holy apostles to ordain ministers in every place: Grant that your Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may choose suitable persons for the ministry of Word and Sacrament, and may uphold them in their work for the extension of your kingdom; through him who is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Today we celebrate the Feast of Katharina von Bora Luther, church reformer (died 20 Dec 1552 CE),
Collect of the Feast of Katharina von Bora Luther
Almighty God, who called your servant Katharina von Bora from a cloister to work for the reform of your church: Grant that, for the sake of your glory and the welfare of your church, we may go wherever you should call, and serve however you should will; through Jesus Christ, our only mediator and advocate. Amen.
A Collect for Fridays
Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies' sake. Amen. (BCP, 123)
In the Order of Worship for Evening
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, creator of the changes of day and night, giving rest to the weary, renewing the strength of those who are spent, bestowing upon us occasions of song in the evening. As you have protected us in the day that is past, so be with us in the coming night; keep us from every sin, every evil, and every fear; for you are our light and salvation, and the strength of our life. To you be glory for endless ages. Amen. (BCP, 113)
A Collect for Mission
O God of all the nations of the earth: Remember the multitudes who have been created in your image but have not known the redeeming work of our Savior Jesus Christ; and grant that, by the prayers and labors of your holy Church, they may be brought to know and worship you as you have been revealed in your Son; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 257)
Daily Office Gospel Matthew 11:2-15
11:2When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ 4Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.’
7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it is written, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” 11Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; 14and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15Let anyone with ears listen!
Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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