Third Sunday of Advent
WATCHWORD:
2 John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus,3 “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” 4 Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen – 5 the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” 6 And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.” 7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? 8 Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No. 9 Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. 10 John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,1 ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’ Matthew 11:2-10, Malachi 1:1
Meditation:
Deep Dark December
December has a mixed reputation, grey and cold standing in contrast to the joy of the coming of the Christ child and our celebration of Christmas. Although, even in the happiness of this season for some the loneliness is magnified and the sense of sorrow grows darker and deeper.
Here we are, the third Sunday of advent, and within our families and friends we have a remarkable array of those with serious health problems, those separated from loved ones by great distances, and those with high levels of anxiety or loneliness, and, shockingly, too many around us do not have enough to eat.
One of my favorite children’s books is C.S. Lewis classic, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. The story is set in the mythical country of Narnia where there is an evil force in the character of the white witch. She has put a curse on that little community: always winter, but never Christmas. Can you imagine, month after month of winter and no Christmas to brighten the days with hope?
John the Baptist is in prison, arrested by King Herod because he publicly criticized him for marrying his brother’s wife. John had already pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God, the one whose sandals he was unworthy to untie. More than that, John had baptized Jesus in the Jordan river and had announced that he had seen the heavens opening and the spirit of God descending with the voice of God identifying Jesus as His son, the one I love. But now, in the darkness of the prison, John has his doubts, and wonders if Jesus is really the Messiah.
Think about that. Even John the Baptist, a most significant figure in this story of salvation, when things got tough and the future looked bleak, those thoughts, dark and cold, encroach, “Are you the One to come, or is there another?”
Pastor Tracey Davenport, in her sermon posted on Presbyterian Outlook, said, “If we are serious about faith in Jesus Christ, that is our question too. Is Jesus the real thing? This world seems pretty messed up. Did the Son of God, the Messiah, really come as a baby to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago? If so, what difference does it make? Will Christmas come and bring tidings of comfort and joy? Or will this winter go on forever?”
Jesus sent John’s disciples back to him in prison, uncritical of John’s question. But Jesus’ answer was not a clear yes or no. Jesus answered, “Look at what is going on, watch what am doing and decide for yourself if I’m the One. The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.” Jesus’ answer echoes what Isaiah saw long ago and proclaimed would happen when the Messiah came.
How do you answer the question: Is Jesus the One? What evidence have you seen? What have you experienced? Do we just accept the graces that God showers on us without a second thought, no expression of gratitude, no deeply felt ‘Thank you Lord.’
Restore the Joy Blessing:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Closing Prayer:
Thank you, Lord for being the author of my life. I give You my hopes and dreams for this Christmas season and ask You to show me those ways that I can honor you more fully and to dispense with those ways that cause shade to fall upon Your joys. Give me the courage to follow You in a new way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
