Are we offended by Jesus at Christmas time? If he walked the earth today would we be offended by him? Let’s examine the real Jesus and being offended at Jesus in Matthew 11:2-11.
Are You the One?
Matthew 11:2-3 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
Are we offended by Jesus? John the Baptist doubted. Was Jesus the ONE? He was different than expected. He was a pacifist not a freedom fighter. Jesus ate and drank with sinners. He preached repentance and the kingdom and turned the other cheek. He healed and preached the Good News.
Are we are disappointed in Jesus? He did not encourage tongues, Sabbaths, prayers to Mary, or rosaries. He did not teach about nationalism or a materialistic gospel. He condemned abusive, authoritarian religious leadership. He healed, preached to the poor about giving and self-sacrifice, and a kingdom not of this world.
Are we frustrated by Jesus? John was an activist and revolutionary. Jesus was a healer and teacher. Jesus did not make John a disciple. John looked for a political Messiah. Are we disappointed with Jesus, His life of poverty, dying on a cross or do we wait patiently for salvation?
Not Offended by Jesus
Matthew 11:4-6 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”
What do we think about when we hear about Jesus, a little baby in a manger, or someone who heals lives and preaches to the poor? Instead of an imaginary Jesus of our wishes, let us get to know the real Jesus and be grateful for who he really is.
Is our salvation found in ways of this world? Jesus used no worldly methods. The blind received sight, the lame walked, lepers were cleansed, the deaf heard, the dead were raised up, and the poor heard the good news. This is what the Messiah looks like. He is the one.
Have we created a fake Jesus in our minds? Do vain human traditions and picture the truth about Jesus? Denominationalism, politics, and traditions only divide us. Do we build a Jesus that we created, because we are disappointed with the simplicity of the real Jesus? The real Jesus unites us.
I Send My messenger
Matthew 11:7-12 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’
Christmas was rescued from paganism. Yet, Christmas is again becoming a pagan festival, the pursuit of profit, the focus on gifts, parties, the stampede for merchandise and the pressure to spend. There is still a voice of one crying in the wilderness. Let’s rescue Christmas from paganism all over again.
The Violent Take it by Force
Matthew 11:11-12 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
God’s kingdom suffered violence when John was murdered. Violent people take the kingdom by force. The Greek word can also be translated as zeal and certainly ardent zeal is needed for Christians to enter God’s kingdom. Christianity is not the easy path. It is an ongoing spiritual battle against evil.
Do we know the real Jesus or have we created a fictitious Jesus? Are we expecting Him to create a cushy Disneyland for us, now or do we look forward to that day when He will return and take over the governments of this world? Have we put our faith in the real Jesus?
Readings
Isaiah 35:1-10
1 The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; 2 It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, The excellency of our God.
3 Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.”
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert. 7 The parched ground shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water; In the habitation of jackals, where each lay, There shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
8 A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray. 9 No lion shall be there, Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; It shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there, 10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
The word of the Lord.
A picture of Israel after her return from captivity will be much greater in the world after Jesus’ return. The world will be transformed, and all religion will be purified. If we have spiritual discernment, eyes to see, we can allow God to create these conditions in our hearts today.
Luke 1:47-55
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. 49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. 50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. 54 He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, 55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.”
Thus ends Mary’s Song.
God’s kindness to Mary was unique in human history. No other woman who ever lived would bear the child who would be the Messiah. Mary sings of God’s power, holiness, mercy and faithfulness.
James 5:7-10
7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! 10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.
The Word of God for the people of God.
Waiting upon God is a large part of our faith. Advent is also waiting for Jesus’ second coming. When we suffer, we learn patience. We learn to wait. A world of suffering looks for quick fixes in politics, medicine, credit cards and getting high. We look for a coming Messiah.
New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Matthew 11:2-11 in Rhyme
John heard in prison what Christ was doing
He sent two disciples to Him asking
“Are You the One who is to come?
Should we expect another one?”
Jesus said, “Tell John what you hear and see
Lepers cleansed, lame walk, deaf hear, the blind see,
Dead are raised, poor hear the gospel decree
Blest is anyone not stumbling at Me.”
Jesus spoke to the multitudes of John
“What did you go in the wilds to look on?
A reed in the wind? A man in soft clothes?
Those in soft clothing live in fine abodes.”
“Was it a prophet you went out to see?
Yes, I say, more than a prophet was he.
For this is he of whom it is written
‘Prepare the way, My messenger’s mission.’”
“Of those born of women there’s none greater
But the least in the kingdom are greater
The kingdom suffers intensely
But the bold take it zealously.”
