“That a man named John was baptizing” in the wilderness – meant nothing at all. It was even somewhat surprising that people were even talking about it —.
It was just the story of “another religious kook”…running around “out in the wilderness-somewhere.”
That he was “baptizing men” in the Jordan River raising “no red flags.” That he was “baptizing at all,” was not an issue. I mean, who cares, right?
It was probably a case of “way too much sun”- or heat stroke!” Or, way too much time spent alone in the desert.
He could have been just another separatist – with some kind of… “religious axe to grind.” A zealot perhaps “religious zealots” were a shekel a dozen…they were everywhere.
The “whole story” was about “as interesting” as the number of “different species of grass” – growing along that part of the Jordan River…
It was no biggie…
That is, until THE PHARISEES and the “Jerusalem elite” decided to attach “some kind of meaning to it.”
In an honor and shame society – “elites” are the “gate-keepers” of social status.
Thus “their question(s) to John” are more like “challenges,” actually…challenging him “in an attempt” to undermine or to minimize his popularity and “put him back in his place” – as an unknown person of low estate…and of little degree.
This guy was a nobody from nowhere…and a “nut-job too boot!”
It is probably “very purposeful” that in the first chapter of John’s gospel – we are already being introduced to the Pharisees who are representative of the “Judean elite.” They are already working their “conniving mischief.”
It was a multi-faceted question that they asked and wanted a response to.
“Who are you?” was the $24.00 question. They meant “where were you born?” “Who are your parents?”
These two questions determined one’s social status. And a person could only do…what their social status “allowed.”
It was a very “personal question.”
They were fact finding.
And at the same time, it was more than that: They were saying – “tell me about your personal beliefs”, what about your “values” and what about your “convictions…” what do you hold dear?
But a still larger question was implied, “what did the activity of this strange-desert-dweller mean- to the “leaders” and to “Judaism as a whole?”
Just where did the ministry of this “obvious kook” fit into the greater scheme of all of Judaism?
It was like “all of the elite of Judah” were holding their breaths – as they waited for a response from this someone named John. How would he answer? What would he say?
Was he a figure of the “end times,” people wanted to know?
He did seem to preach “an apocalyptic message” – or one about the “end of all time” … the Parousia…
Was he preceding that awful and terrible day of the Lord? Was “judgment day” around the corner?
Was he SENT from God? And if so, “WHAT” was God doing?
Popular belief in Judaism held out for three possibilities: He must be the Messiah, Elijah or a coming prophet.
In the popular mind: the Messiah would be a King and High Priest, who would restore God’s kingdom with only pure worship in the Lord’s Temple.
Since Elijah was “the first of the prophets” and was swept into heaven before his death…it was assumed that he would return before the coming of the Messiah to help “prepare his way.” Was he Elijah returned?
And according to Deuteronomy 18.15, it says there, “The Lord your God will raise up for you “a prophet” like me from among you, from your brethren, “him” you shall heed.” Was he that prophet?
So which was he? Or was he none? If he was none, then he had no business “baptizing” and “calling people to repentance.” Nor could he forgive sins, only God could do that! So WHO was he? Why was he such an enigma?
And his answer was even more cryptic, yet!
You think I am “behaving” or “acting” like the Messiah, Elijah or “THE” prophet – do you? Well get this…
Compared to the one who is coming after me, I am not even worthy to be his slave.
So if you think I am acting above my “social status” – just wait till you meet the “new guy!”
You had better start to prepare – NOW!
Time IS running out! Tick, tick, tick. Amen.