Word got around; John’s following had grown. Many were coming to repent and be renewed in the waters of the Jordan.
Word even got to the Temple. This tevilah he was offering people, what was he promising it would do—was he being a mediator? Was his preaching in line with Torah? Talk that the world was soon to end had some people on edge. Could this guy be a new prophet or was he masquerading as one in order to gain money or political traction? Whatever the case, the man was charismatic and had in short order amassed quite a following.
The situation was deemed worthy of investigation, so the Temple sent a small delegation to investigate the matter. In the main, they could support anyone’s right perform ritual cleansing, but they wanted to know what was this person’s authority to lead such ceremonies.
The morning after they arrived at Bethabara, they announced themselves and moved through the crowd to meet the man, on the pretense of seeking the immersion for themselves. After introductions had been made, the spokesman asked, We’ve heard you’re telling everyone the world is coming to an end. Who are you, that you can tell this to people? Do you proclaim yourself to be the messiah?
He moved out of the water and joined them on the riverbank.
He answered: No, I am not the messiah.
Another of the delegation asked: What are you, then? Are you Elijah, returned from the clouds?
There was a short burst of nervous laughter from some in the crowd, but others were offended; they quietly voiced objections to the question. By the tone, they knew it was intended to belittle someone they respected.
He answered: I think you know that I am John. No. I am not Elijah.
One of the priests asked, Are you a new prophet?
He answered: No.
The head of the delegation had hoped for more substantive information from this interview. So far, they’d really learned nothing they didn’t already know, and the man’s demeanor seemed calm and reasonable. He asked, So, John, who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us.
He thought, for a moment, before responding.
Mine is that voice calling from the wilderness “Repair the pathways to the almighty!”
Another of the group asked: Why do you offer the immersion rite, if you are not messiah, Elijah returned or a prophet? Tell us about yourself and why you make your mission here, in the wilderness.
At this challenge, the crowd hushed.
Brood of vipers! What wind sent you blowing from the coming fury! Where is the fruit of your repentence? Don’t hide behind Abrahamic lineage; the holy one can turn even these river stones into sons and daughters for Abraham. The ax is readied at the root of the trees; those that don’t produce will be chopped down and burned for fuel!
The delegation had had enough. They began to move away. This man and his talk were no threat to their authority; even if it was an affront, his actions were not impious.
One from among the followers asked: What should we do to be saved from this time of trial you’re talking about?
Those who have should share with those who have nothing. Tax collectors should not take more than is owed. Soldiers should not extort or falsely accuse people.
They waited expectantly for more.
Look, you want to know why I’m here. This is why: I’m simply here to baptize the repentant with water. But someone is coming who’s so much more powerful, I am not fit to carry his sandals. This one will baptize with holy spirit and with fire. His wheat will he gather to the silo, but the chaff he’ll burn with unquenchable fire.
He stepped back down into the river.
Who is next?
© 2020 by Elisabeth T. Eliassen and songsofasouljourney.blogspot.com
A brief note about my literary exploration of the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth: I have undertaken this exercise having read, sung (in several languages), meditated and prayed on the contents of the Synoptic Gospels (as well as the Non-Synoptic Gospels) for at least 45 years. In that time, I’ve accumulated a bit of a library (which comes as no surprise to those who know me), and I try to follow modern scholarship. Here is a partial list of the authors and books that come to mind as I write these episodes:
Ballentine, Debra Scoggins, The Conflict Myth & the Biblical Tradition; Oxford University Press 2015
Erdman, Bart, various titles
Gaus, Andy, The Unvarnished New Testament; Phanes Press, 1991
Herzog, William R., Parables as Subversive Speech; Westminster John Knox Press, 1991
Louden, Bruce, Greek Myth and the Bible; Routledge, 2019
Tatian, Diatesseron; www.earlychristianwritings.com/diatessaron.html
Wajdenbaum, Philippe, Argonauts of the Desert, Routledge, 2011
Ward, Keith, The Philosopher and the Gospels, Lion Hudson, 2011
Yosef ben Maityahu (Titus Flavius Josephus), various writings
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