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Prophet


When John’s disciples left to report, Jesus started talking to the crowd about John. “What did you expect when you went out to see him in the wild? A weekend camper? Hardly. What then? A sheik in silk pajamas? Not in the wilderness, not by a long shot. What then? A prophet? That’s right, a prophet! Probably the best prophet you’ll ever hear. He is the prophet that Malachi announced when he wrote, ‘I’m sending my prophet ahead of you, to make the road smooth for you.’ “Let me tell you what’s going on here: No one in history surpasses John the Baptizer; but in the kingdom he prepared you for, the lowliest person is ahead of him. - Matthew 11: 7-11, The Message

Earlier in this chapter, we read that John the Baptist, upon hearing what Jesus had been doing [The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised,] sent his own disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the One we’ve been expecting, or are we still waiting?”
Whatever this Jesus had been doing didn't quite match up in John's mind to what he had envisioned the messiah would do. Jesus, this man of God and prophet mighty in deed and word left John scratching his head, wondering if Jesus was the real deal. 
Jesus, on the other hand, told the crowds that John was "Probably the best prophet you’ll ever hear." 
What would you expect from a prophet?

"What if God was One of Us"

If God had a name what would it be?
And would you call it to his face?
If you were faced with him
In all his glory
What would you ask if you had just one question?

And yeah, yeah, God he is great
Yeah, yeah, God he is good
Yeah, yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah

What if God was one of us?
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the bus
Trying to make his way home

If God had a face what would it look like?
And would you wanna to see
If seeing meant that
You would have to believe
In things like heaven and in Jesus and the saints
And all the prophets

And yeah, yeah, God he is great
Yeah, yeah, God he is good
Yeah, yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah

What if God was one of us?
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the bus
Trying to make his way home

Trying to make his way home
Back up to heaven all alone
Nobody calling on the phone
Except the Pope maybe in Rome

[Instrumental]

And yeah, yeah, God he is great
Yeah, yeah, God he is good
Yeah, yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah

What if God was one of us?
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the bus
Trying to make his way home

Just trying to make his way home
Like a holy rolling stone
Back up to heaven all alone
Just trying to make his way home
Nobody calling on the phone
Except the Pope maybe in Rome.

 I kind of like this image of John as a wild man in the wilderness.  Today's text asks what a prophet would look like, and I like to think it would be someone like us.  It reminded me of the song "What if God was One of Us."  Who says the prophet we are seeking isn't sitting next to us on the bus or asking for change as we pass on our way home?  Prophet.

I feel silly writing about prophet when today is the Winter Solstice.  It's also the 100th birthday of the crossword.  As for winter and the shortest day, not a fan.  As for crosswords, I've never finished a crossword puzzle.  Happy Winter Solstice.  Now, let's bring on the Vernal Equinox.

Comments

LH said…
I'm crazy about crosswords.

Love the idea of the shortest day of the year.

And I've always liked this song.

3:06 AM
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