Week of December 16, 2007, Matthew 11:2-11
One of the Scriptures for Sunday is the Gospel reading of Matthew, chapter 11, verses 2 to 11. It is an unusual Gospel for this close to Christmas. John the Baptist, now in prison, has sent disciples to ask Jesus if Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. It needs to be a question that each of us asks. Beginning at verse 1:
1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
2 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples
3 to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
4 Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
6 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."
7 As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?
8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces.
9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
10 This is the one about whom it is written: "'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'
11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Dear Jesus, You bring each one of us to the basic question that we need to wrestle with. Who are You to me? You are the Christ. You are the Messiah. You are the healer that gives sight to the blind, curing those with leprosy, giving hearing to the deaf. And You preached the Good News of God’s saving and unconditional love then, and Your Word continues today to bring life to each of us.
This Christmas season, help me, Lord Jesus, to prepare the way again – to make sure that my relationship with You is not hindered by anything that would displease You, to make sure that I am not living with unconfessed sin in my life, to make sure that I know and experience Your saving love, the peace You bring, the joy and hope that is infectious in my actions and thoughts. Thanks, Jesus, for Your love and Your presence in my life. Amen.
May the Lord bless you as you go on your way. May He go before you to show you the way. May He go behind you to encourage you. May He go beside you to guide and befriend you. May He always be above you to watch over you. And may He be within you to give you peace.
In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
You may leave a message or prayer request by e-mailing me at: peacewm@tds.net
May you experience Christ, the Messiah, who comes to each of us each day in special ways this Advent and Christmas season.
1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
2 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples
3 to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
4 Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
6 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."
7 As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?
8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces.
9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
10 This is the one about whom it is written: "'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'
11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Dear Jesus, You bring each one of us to the basic question that we need to wrestle with. Who are You to me? You are the Christ. You are the Messiah. You are the healer that gives sight to the blind, curing those with leprosy, giving hearing to the deaf. And You preached the Good News of God’s saving and unconditional love then, and Your Word continues today to bring life to each of us.
This Christmas season, help me, Lord Jesus, to prepare the way again – to make sure that my relationship with You is not hindered by anything that would displease You, to make sure that I am not living with unconfessed sin in my life, to make sure that I know and experience Your saving love, the peace You bring, the joy and hope that is infectious in my actions and thoughts. Thanks, Jesus, for Your love and Your presence in my life. Amen.
May the Lord bless you as you go on your way. May He go before you to show you the way. May He go behind you to encourage you. May He go beside you to guide and befriend you. May He always be above you to watch over you. And may He be within you to give you peace.
In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
You may leave a message or prayer request by e-mailing me at: peacewm@tds.net
May you experience Christ, the Messiah, who comes to each of us each day in special ways this Advent and Christmas season.
posted by Moments of Peace at 10:31 AM
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