Luke 7:18-23 Reflection ~
St. John the Baptist had already participated in the mystical baptism of Jesus, so why does he appear to question Jesus’s authority. I believe St. John knew his disciples needed to be with and see the results of Jesus’s light so that they might graciously leave John and follow Jesus so that they could forward ripple the Good News to others. This is the same for any Christian, we must not be the light but rather reflect Jesus’s light. Others should perceive that we were transformed by our willing acceptance of Jesus.
Saint John the Baptist Sees Jesus from Afar, James Tissot, Brooklyn Museum
Luke 7 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)
Messengers from John the Baptist
18 The disciples of John reported all these things to him. So John summoned two of his disciples 19 and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 20 When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’” 21 Jesus had just then cured many people of diseases, plagues, and evil spirits, and had given sight to many who were blind. 22 And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them. 23 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel reading and considering this Luke 7:18-23 Reflection – Transformed by our Willing Acceptance.