It is perhaps not surprising that the Lord has high expectations for the king who will rule over Israel; according to the prophet Isaiah, he is to be led by wisdom and understanding, by knowledge and awe and piety. With these gifts, the king will be able to defend his people, striking the ruthless and slaying the wicked, all in the goal of restoring justice, peace, and harmony to his kingdom. This messianic promise gives the people hope for a righteous king who will one day reign forever, under whom, as Psalm 72 says, justice shall flourish, and fullness of peace forever.
But if God is to rule over the hearts of all people, then we must claim him as such through baptism. In Matthew’s Gospel, John the Baptist appears, baptizing all who come to him for that purpose in the Jordan River. His is a baptism of repentance, washing away all that is sinful in them, but, as John tells the Pharisees and Sadducees, the Messiah will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire, demanding a radial shift, a true transformation following the messianic promise of Isaiah. John accuses the Jewish leadership of having lost track of what God calls them to be, that is, true to their covenant with the Lord; they sow discord rather than harmony and will see the consequences of their behavior over time.
When we see things as God sees them, this wisdom increases our ability to understand and make good decisions, affording us strength and courage so that our knowledge of God may increase and we may participate intimately in his kingdom with awe and wonder. First, however, we must be open to repentance, open to the transformation Jesus desires for all of us. Paul reminds the Romans that the promise made to the people of Israel is made to the Gentiles as well; all are encouraged to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord they may with one voice glorify God. Christ is our model; the Lord has high expectations for us indeed, as we can only proclaim the good news authentically if we are one in Christ, welcoming one another with love.
This post is based on Fr. Pat’s Scripture class.
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