The Key West citizen., 1952-11-22
Jesus Thanksgiving, and Ours
hlaffhew ll:2.6, 1880
By Rev. Ralph Rogers

BY Rev. Ralph Rogers
A wild bird in a cage or a wild
animal in a trap becomes desper-
ate when so restricted. Little won
der then that John the Baptist,
the hero of the desert, the blazing
prophet who had condemned a
king to his face, Degan to crack
under the strain of persecution and
the desoiate darkness and stencil
of the Machaerus fortress. Even
though John had acknowledged
Jesus as the Messiah. there arose
in his mind the question whether
or not it was true or else why
allow him to rot in prison? Per-
haps his disciples questioned whe-
ther this was the all-powerful Mes
siah. Could he set prisoners free
and right all injustices? John goes
directly to Jesus by sending his
disciples for the answer, cart thou
he that cometh, or look we for
another?"
DummeIcw says that It is very
generally held by recent writer's
that John himself, IS well as his
disciples, was doubtful about the
Lords Messiahship. This IS not
impossible. The ideals Of Jesus
diverged 50 widely from those of
John, that the Baptist, hearing
Of Them only by report would
have difficulty in understanding
them. The long imprisonment
must have had . depressing ef-
feet on Jehn but the New Test
menf represents fhe disciples OF
the prophet as being doubtful
about the claims Of Jesus and u
could be that John sent his dis
eipIss to get Jesus answer and
to see his work.
The answer is surprising for he
says in effect, fuse your eyes"
Look around and you win see the
blind restored to sight, the lame
walking and the lepers cleaned.
They looked and saw. and were
convinced. Perhaps this is what
John wanted before his head rolled
into the platter for the dancer
Salome. What they saw was OF
such convincing proof of Jesus
mission that they could carry on
after their leader had been be-
headed. Christ crucified had been
stumbling block unto the Jews.
Those who found in him no cause
for stumbling were to be blessed.
Jesus was trying to tell John and
his disciples, that they should look
about at the lame, the blind and
the sick being swept into the king
dom even though we be beheaded
or crucified. What else matters if
some are saved. Christian leaders
will be misunderstood, be perse-
cuted, be crucified. but sing, John,
in your prison for we all must die.
Let US be thankful that we can
tighten the load of suffering hu-
manity while we live.
Jesus fhsn offers thanks TO God
as The ReveaIeF Of truth to men.
He divides men into fwo groups
again when he calls them fhe
wise and babes He is thank.
fUI that fhe truth has been re-
vealed unto babes and hidden
from the wise. The wise no doubt
meant that PhaTisees and scribes
who considered themselves so
well informed. The common peo-
pie were Of course the babes,
who heard him gladly. Jesus ap-
parenflY did not want the serihes
and Pharisees as disciples until
they put away their arrogance
and conceif. He has no place for
. wise man unless that wise man
is . humble man. =. B. Meyers
says, "Babes are those who mis-
trust ihe rsasonings Of their IN
folIaefs, but trust the instincts
and insuitions Of their hearts.
The ehiId-hesFs looks open-eyed
into ell the mysteries Of God"
Many may think that they know
Jesus, but he says, mo one know
eth the Son, save the Father" II
we were robbed of the divine mys-
terry of Jesus, we would lose much