A Prophet and More

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Zechariah Prophesies about His Son, John

Luke 7:18-27

The Message

^18-19 John’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?”

²⁰ The 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?’”
^21-23 In 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!”

^24-27 After John’s messengers left to make their report, Jesus said more about John to the crowd of people. “What did you expect when you went out to see him in the wild? A weekend camper? Hardly. What then? A sheik in silk pajamas? Not in the wilderness, not by a long shot. What then? A messenger from God? That’s right, a messenger! Probably the greatest messenger you’ll ever hear. He is the messenger Malachi announced when he wrote,
I’m sending my messenger on ahead
To make the road smooth for you.

For Reflection

What was expected of a Messiah?  Was it the establishment of a new theocracy, by force if necessary?  Frankly, that would have been easier!  Would a new, God selected "King David" or a  new set of governing rules adjudicated by a "New Solomon" really establish the justice the people were seeking?  Did they expect a healer?

Do we prefer warriors rather than healers to solve humanities woes?  Are we still looking for self-made solutions?  Or are we turning to God who asks us to heal each other by adopting compassion and justice as the hope for this world? 

Pray

That you will continue to serve God as a steward of God's creation.  Pray that all who follow Christ will have the courage to heal, to help others see and to extend to all the hospitality of the Holy Spirit.