Turning

     In the Gospel lesson for this week the Pharisees were given a question that challenged them. Was John’s baptism from heaven or earth. I think the real question being asked was the same given to Peter, to the twelve, and to us. “Who do you say that I am?” And the follow up, “Where will you turn?”

     God had been sending prophets to his people for as long as he had people to send them to. A Prophet is a person who speaks the word of God. Sometimes the prophet warns of dire consequences, sometimes the prophet reminds of God’s love and forgiveness. But always, the prophet points to God, calling people to turn to Him.

     John the Baptist was a prophet, speaking the word of God, announcing the coming of the king. The very near coming of the awaited Messiah. He baptized with waters of repentance, of turning around from the wrong path and back to the path of the one true king.

     Any good pharisee knew the prophetic writings inside out. They knew the fate that had befallen God’s chosen people, their people, the Israelites, when they failed to heed the prophets’ warnings or believe their proclamations. They awaited the coming Messiah and knew the signs that had been foretold throughout their own history. They thought themselves worthy of an earthly salvation. They couldn’t see beyond to the greater salvation that awaited them. And so, the question stumped them.

     Jesus asked, was John’s baptism from heaven or earth? They knew the answer. They were afraid of it. They considered the choices. Baptism from heaven meant that they should believe, repent, recognize their need, see that they were no more worthy than any human, and prepare for the coming king. They should turn around and follow the King. Answering otherwise would mean facing the people who may turn against them. Which way did the Pharisees turn? They tread water. They “rode the fence.”.They did not turn at all.

     Jesus goes on. He tells a story! I think back to my own childhood with his story. I know that I would obediently acknowledge a parental request, but forget or ignore the task set upon me. And I know I have replied with an obstinate or defiant “No,” only to do the thing anyway, because, well, trouble awaited if I didn’t. Which is better?

     I think that God knows we are rebellious by nature, wanting our own way, thinking ourselves better than we really are…sometimes even better than God himself! Of course he knows. We need only look to the first people of the Bible to see this. But we also see in that story that God forgives our foibles and asks only that we return to Him. That we repent. That we turn around and let Him be our King.

     We know who our king is. Sometimes we deny that we know him, saying no when our hearts know better. Sometimes, (okay-a lot of times!) we turn away even while we are saying yes. Sometimes we think ourselves worthy on our own merits. Sometimes we fear the people more than we long for Jesus.

     If Jesus asked you, right now, “Who do you say that I am?” If he asked you, right now, if a call to repentance is coming from God. If He asked you to claim your allegiance to Jesus or to mankind. what would you say? Which way would you turn?