Thursday, March 8, 2007

Luke 7:18-23 (The Message)
Is This What You Were Expecting?
18-19John's disciples reported back to him the news of all these events taking place. He sent two of them to the Master to ask the question, "Are you the One we've been expecting, or are we still waiting?"
20The men showed up before Jesus and said, "John the Baptizer sent us to ask you, 'Are you the One we've been expecting, or are we still waiting?'"
21-23In the next two or three hours Jesus healed many from diseases, distress, and evil spirits. To many of the blind he gave the gift of sight. Then he gave his answer: "Go back and tell John what you have just seen and heard:

The blind see,
The lame walk,
Lepers are cleansed,
The deaf hear,
The dead are raised,
The wretched of the earth
have God's salvation hospitality extended to them.
"Is this what you were expecting? Then count yourselves fortunate!"

John and his disciples had been given the job of preparing people for the coming of the Messiah, the Savior. When John sends his disciples to Jesus to ask, "Are you the One we've been expecting, or are we still waiting?" what they are asking Jesus is “Are you the Messiah, the Savior?”

It looks like Jesus does not give the messengers a straight answer. It seems like he does not say “yes” or “no.”
What Jesus does do is spend the next few hours healing many people. Then he gives an answer. He tells the messengers to go back and tell John what they have seen and heard. This, in fact, is Jesus’ very straight answer.

When the Messiah, the savior, (Messiah means “Christ” or “anointed”) came, there would be signs accompanying him. Blind people would be given sight, lame people would walk, lepers would be made clean, deaf people would hear, dead people would be raised. All of these things are things Jesus has done. Everything John’s messengers saw and heard confirmed that Jesus was the One.

In our scripture readings during Lent, what evidence have we seen that Jesus is unique?

What did Jesus do that amazes you?

Pray a prayer that thanks Jesus for being amazing.