Friday 10 December 2010

Background

The overall impact of John the Baptist and Jesus on theircontemporaries was small. This was in spite of the initialexcitement aroused by John's ministry and Baptism; and theoccasional awesome impact on some people of Jesus' words anddeeds. 

The people of Israel might have been confused. John and Jesus werepuzzlingly different from each other. But the people could hardlydeny the common call to repentance. So maybe a 'displacement'activity was happening - they were playing John off against Jesus,to avoid change and commitment. The people were like a group ofirritable children in the market square, refusing to join inwhatever another group proposed: 'Shall we play weddings? Orfunerals? Will nothing make you play with us?' 

John and Jesus were indeed different. John was a loner - fiercelyself-disciplined, ascetic, fasting often and otherwise existing ondesert rations (locusts and wild honey - Matthew 3:4). His preaching called for radicalchange of life and uncompromising goodness. Those who did not wantto hear simply said he was mad. 

Jesus, in contrast, was deemed 'bad'. A convivial personality, witha controversial choice of friends, he rubbed up the wrong waypeople who were trying to lead a good life and keep their distancefrom any who showed contempt for Israel's traditions. Among theexcluded were the manifestly corrupt (sinners); and tax collectors,who had compromised Israel's identity by working for their paganconquerors. Self-respecting people 'knew' that when the outcastshad a party (and Jesus joined in sometimes), things got out ofhand. Religious constraint went out of the window. 

Jesus, however, had a large and generous vision to share. He wouldnot allow a wedge to be driven between John and himself. Both weremessengers of the one God. For John the kingdom of God wasvirtually present; for Jesus, it was already here. Theirministries, though different, were connected and complementary: avariety of approaches drawing some, surely, to repentance. Then thewisdom of God - God's creative beauty and love silently at work inthe world - would be vindicated. The fruit of holiness from twodifferent trees. 

To Ponder

Within your church or in Churches Togetherlocally, are there Christians whose beliefs, worship styles ormoral decisions make it almost impossible for you to sympathisewith them? Without compromising your own faith, how might youengage with them?

There must be limits to the range of ideas andmoral choices that can be included in the Church's fellowship.Think of one example you know that is, in your view, unacceptable.How will you relate to someone who is 'beyond the pale'?

The history of relationships between Christiansand Jews has been complex. How might you and your congregationoffer a hand of friendship to a synagogue near you?