DO NOT FEAR! HERE IS YOUR GOD.

III SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Matthew 11:2-11

John the Baptist was a hard man - hard on himself and on the society, which he rejected, living like a hermit in the desert, where he had a very simple and frugal life. “John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.” (Mt 3:4). In his time, he was not the only one; others had gone to live in the desert - like the Essenes (possibly the community of Qumran) - in protest and rejection of the corrupt society in Jerusalem.

Even though he looked strange, John was recognised as a prophet, attracting crowds and “the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan”. Like all the prophets, he preached a very clear message, calling on people to repent and to turn back to God. Those who heard is message, accepted his baptism and confessed their sins (Mt 3:5-6). Even people of the high society of Jerusalem went to him, but he did not trust their intentions and did not mince his words or soften his message, calling them “brood of vipers!”. They must put in place a real change of their way of life, that is they must “bear fruit worthy of repentance” (Mt 3:8), not deluding themselves as if they are beyond reproach.

The crowds coming to him were convinced that he was more than a prophet and many were convinced that he was the Messiah. Straight away, he rejected that, claiming to be only a voice calling people to repentance, so that they “flee from the wrath to come” and prepare themselves for the impending judgement. He was preparing for the Messiah and he was convinced that the Messiah was at the door, ready to enter. However, for him the Messiah’s coming was the coming of judgement:

“Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

“His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” (Mt 3:10,12).

John was preparing people for the Day of the Lord, the day of wrath, when God will separate the grain from the chaff, that is the good from the evil.

To a certain point, John’s ministry was successful; he had big crowds coming to him and a group of disciples  followed him. When Jesus came into the scene, John was convinced that he was the promised one and pointed him out to his disciples. Some of them left, and went to Jesus. Then, he was arrested and thrown into Herod’s dungeons. And the reports he heard about Jesus were quite unsettling, because he was not announcing the day of judgement but the day of mercy; so he sent some of his disciples to Jesus, asking: “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” (Mt 11:3)

And Jesus answered, telling John that the signs of the Messiah were being fulfilled.

“Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.” 

Jesus is God’s compassion and tenderness in our midst. Surely, there will be a time for judgement, but God is patient and gives us plenty of time to mend our ways and accept his love and mercy. Jesus did not come to show the wrath but the mercy of God.

Jesus comes to fulfil God’s promise presented in Is 35:5-6

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,

and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

then the lame shall leap like a deer,

and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.

He came to bring the good news to the poor (Is 61:1). And we are called to rejoice and regain hope.

“Strengthen the weak hands,

and make firm the feeble knees.

Say to those who are of a fearful heart,

“Be strong, do not fear!

Here is your God.

He will come with vengeance,

with terrible recompense.

He will come and save you.” (Is 35:3-4)

Indeed, do not fear! Here is your God.

That’s why Christmas is a time of rejoicing; it is a feast of hope. The clouds may be stark dark, but the sun of justice is going to dissipate them and bring the light of peace.