King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” John the Baptist and Jesus were associated in life and were both part of the plan of God. They were very different personalities. John was priest and Jesus was a layman. John stood apart — he dressed differently, he ate different foods, he denounced those in authority, he called people to separate themselves from a hostile world. Jesus, by contrast, immersed himself in the midst of life. He participated in the parties and meals and enjoyed the company of others. He asked us to find God where we are instead of needing to come away. Two different approaches to God. In our lives we need to respond to the presence of God in the providence of our daily life. Yes, we hear John’s challenge that “the ax is laid to the root,” to challenge all that is ungospel in our world. But we also need to hear the words of Jesus: “come to me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will refresh you.”
