"Ang Bisan Sin-o Nga Labing Kubos Sa Mga Nagapasakop Sa Paghari Sang Dios Mas Labaw Pa Kay Juan Bautista"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 11:2-11)

Sang yara pa si Juan nga manugbautiso sa sulod sang prisohan, nabatian niya ang parte sa mga ginhimo ni Cristo, gani ginpakadto niya kay Cristo ang iya mga sumulunod agod magpamangkot.

Nagsiling sila kay Jesus, "Sugiri kami, ikaw bala ang amon ginapaabot ukon mahulat pa kami sang iban?"

Ginsabat sila ni Jesus, "Magbalik kamo kay Juan kag sugiri ninyo siya sang inyo nakita kag nabatian.

Sugiri ninyo siya nga ang mga bulag nakakita, ang mga piang nakalakat, ang mga aruon nag-ayo, ang mga bungol nakabati, ang mga patay nabanhaw, kag ang Maayong Balita ginawali sa mga imol.

Bulahan ang mga tawo nga wala nagaduha-duha sa akon."

Sang makahalin na ang mga sumulunod ni Juan, nagpamangkot si Jesus sa mga tawo, "Sang pagkadto ninyo kay Juan sa kamingawan, ano ang inyo ginapaabot nga makita? Nagkadto bala kamo didto agod makita ninyo ang tawo nga nagapaayon-ayon lang pareho sang kugon nga ginahapay-hapay sang hangin?

Ukon nagkadto bala kamo didto agod makita ninyo ang tawo nga nagabayo sang malahalon? Pero ang nagabayo sang malahalon nagaestar sa mga palasyo.

Abi sugiri ninyo ako kon ngaa nagkadto kamo didto. Indi bala para makita ninyo ang propeta sang Dios? Huo, kag labaw pa gani siya sa propeta.

Kay siya amo ang ginasiling sang Dios sa Kasulatan, 'Ipadala ko ang akon manugbalita una sa imo sa pagpreparar sang imo alagyan.' "

Nagsiling pa gid si Jesus, "Sa pagkamatuod, hasta karon wala pa gid sing may natawo sa kalibutan nga maglabaw pa kay Juan. Pero karon ang bisan sin-o nga labing kubos sa mga nagapasakop sa paghari sang Dios mas labaw pa kay Juan.

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Meditation: 

Why did Jesus praise John the Baptist as the greatest person born of a woman and then in the same breath say that those who enter God's kingdom will be greater than John (Matthew 11:11)?  John is the last and greatest of the prophets of the old covenant. He fulfilled the essential task of all the prophets – to be fingers pointing to Christ, God's Annointed Son and Messiah. John prepared the way for the Messiah and he pointed others to Jesus the Messiah at the River Jordan when he exclaimed, Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29)  John saw from a distant what Jesus would accomplish through his death on the cross – our redemption from bondage to sin and death and our adoption as sons and daughers of God and citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus knew that what the Father had sent him to accomplish for our sake would supercede all that the prophets had done and foreseen in the past. Jesus offers us not only pardon and healing. He gives us abundant life and the promise of unending joy with him in his kingdom. 

When King Herod tried to silence John by throwing him into prison, John sent his disciples to Jesus after John had heard the reports about Jesus performing signs and wonders and speaking to people about the coming of God's kingdom. John wanted his disciples to hear and see firsthand what Jesus was doing to bring the kingdom of God to those who were receptive and ready to receive his message. Jesus confirmed for John that the miracles and healings which he performed were in direct fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies announced by Isaiah some 700 years previously. Isaiah had prophesied that when the Messiah would come to save his people he would "open the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf, the lame would leap, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy" (Isaiah 35:5).  Jesus' miracles are a demonstration of the power of God's kingdom at work  in the midst of his people. When God acts to save his people he turns their sorrow and weeping into joy and singing, and their fear and weakness into strength and hope. 

When Jesus had answered the disciples of John, he in turn asked them a question. "Why did you go out in the wilderness to see John the Baptist?" "Did you go because you were hungry for the word of the Lord?" Jesus said that John was more than a spokesman for God. John was the faithful witness and friend of the bridegroom who pointed others to the presence of the Messiah in their midst. Jesus contrasted John with the image of a reed shaken by the wind. Unlike a reed which is weak and spineless and can be easily crushed or bruised, John stood as a pillar of strength and truth in the face of opposition and persecultion. No demonic force could weaken or crush John in his unswerving trust in God and his word. The Lord Jesus offers us the same assurance of faith and strength of hope and courage to stand against every force that would try to rob us of our faith and trust in God. Where do you place your trust and hope? In the things that fade or pass away, or in the abiding word of God which never fails and in his everlasting kingdom which will never perish? 

"Lord Jesus, strengthen my trust in your word and my hope in the saving power of your kingdom. Free me from everything that would hold me back from pursuing your kingdom and your will for my life."