Lectionary Thoughts: 3rd Advent
December 18, 2010
Texts: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11
In focus: Matthew 11:2-11 (NIV)
I love Jesus’ response here. John (who, like many of my heroes, goes to jail for criticizing the actions of a corrupt government) wants to know who Jesus is – if his hopes, and those of Israel, are being fulfilled right before their very eyes. Jesus, even though he’s asked to, doesn’t give a direct answer to the question given by John’s disciples. He doesn’t give some long explanation of his identity, or offer much in the way of commentary. He simply points them to the evidence of what’s happening: sickness and disability, of all kinds, are being healed; death’s victories over humans are being reversed; and the poor are hearing good news. In other words, God’s agenda – defeating the enemies of God’s creation, whether the oppressions of poverty or the oppressions of death and disease – is being accomplished. And that, as far as Jesus is concerned, is enough of an answer to the question.
It strikes me as a great starting point for how we answer that question – “Who is Jesus?” – in our own lives: he is the one who takes care of the sick and the poor. I would love to see what it would mean for us to begin there, and see where it takes us.
