“More than a prophet”

By Rev. Michael Stonhouse

Meditation – Friday, December 20, 2024

Matthew 11: 2-15 (Forward, p. 52) CEV p. 995

The prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures were seers in a particularly important, but limited, way. They saw the future and spoke to it in very poignant, practical, and meaningful ways to their present constituencies.

Basically, in light of that not yet fulfilled future, they were telling their listeners to ‘shape up.’ And, certainly, while there was often a predictive element to their messages, that message was seldom couched in terribly explicit or detailed words. It was as if they only saw the future ‘at a distance.’

Here then, is where John the Baptist breaks the prophetic mold, as it were. He does more than seeing a future reality, does more than point to something yet unseen. No, he actually points to something, someone, right there in their midst, and introduces Him to them. And so he is more than a prophet and greater than anyone who has proceeded him.

However, he has one very significant liability or shortcoming. He could only point to the reality of God’s kingdom but not enter into it. That is why anyone who is actually in the kingdom is greater than he.

That, however, is in no way meant to diminish or downplay his contribution. He proclaimed a message, an invitation, an introduction, but it was up to his hearers to respond. Indeed, here Jesus’ words to the crowds back them must also apply to each and every succeeding generation, “If you have ears to hear, pay attention!”

Forward notes: “Let anyone with ears listen!” (verse 15)

“As a child, I could tell how much trouble I was in by what I was called. If my mother used my first and last name, I was in some trouble. But, if she called me by my first, middle, and last name, it was time to make my last will and testament. Thankfully, my full name was rarely invoked during my childhood. But my ears were always attuned to listening for the way I was being called.

“Advent is an invitation to deep listening, an invitation to look beyond the ordinary and listen for the footfall of God walking in our world. The prophets knew this. They were attuned to the frequency of God’s voice.

“God continues to speak in our world, particularly through those who have no voice, those who have been discounted as nothing, dismissed to the margins and sidelines. We who follow Jesus face the challenge of listening with the ear of the heart.

“Jesus is calling us by name—by our full name. We have work to do. Perhaps this Advent season, we would do well to simply and faithfully listen.”

Moving Forward: “Set aside 10 minutes of quiet each day to listen.”