If the Pharisees were playing a game of hangman with John they’d
be losing but truth is they don’t care about his answers as long as they can hang
him. A voice crying in the wilderness always means trouble for those who color their
religion within the lines and questions like “who are you?” are a set up for a
take down. But John doesn't care about their questions because he knows he is pointing
to something greater than anyone can imagine. And if we believe Matthew’s
account of John’s question for Jesus (are you the one or should we look for
another?) even the voice in the wilderness wondered if he got it right. That’s
because John was also in the dark even though he was tasked with pointing to
the light. He thought himself unworthy of untying Jesus’ sandals while Jesus
considered washing his disciple’s feet the true measure of a master. That’s not
to say John and Jesus weren't on the same page when it came to calling out the
Pharisees and teachers of the law – You
brood of vipers – but Jesus does something John could not imagine the Messiah
would do. He dies. But the light of Jesus was not extinguished by death rather
it lit up hell like a Christmas tree and banished the power of darkness and
death once and for all.
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