Matthew 1:18-24
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
An old rabbi’s tale says that a common man, walking down a road one day, encountered a stranger. When the man asked the stranger about his plans, the stranger identified himself as the Messiah and said he was going into the town to reveal himself to the people there. The common man gasped, and begged the Messiah not to show himself. When asked why, the man replied, “The people are not expecting you. No one is ready. And if you appear now, they will all miss you. Wait until the people anticipate your coming.”
One version of the story says that for the rest of his life, the common man hardly slept or ate at all, as he vigilantly kept watch for the Messiah’s appearance.
Constant vigilance is difficult. Living in perpetual readiness is exhausting. I’m wondering today, in the context of Matthew’s Gospel, if God has searched and searched for any persons who anticipate Messiah’s coming . . . and found only two: Joseph and Mary.
Luke reports Mary’s story, while Matthew tells the tale from Joseph’s side . . . visions, dreams, and visitations from heavenly messengers, leading to the birth of the Promised One, Emmanuel, God-with-us. As one of my friends likes to say, the incarnation simply means God con carne – God with meat (flesh) on – living among us.
Joseph and Mary open the door of their lives, willing to receive this gift, willing to bear this promise within themselves, willing to accept the cultural ridicule that would surely come their way. In the context of the rabbi’s tale, these two simple souls are the model of readiness for Messiah’s coming.
• As Christmas Eve and Christmas Day nears, identify within you pockets of hope and anticipation. Where does God’s dream still reside within you?
• Also, identify within you pockets of cynicism, doubt, and pessimism . . . perhaps related to a relationship . . . a larger community issue . . . or a matter of justice in the larger context of the nation or world.
• Bring whatever you notice within you into your prayer today.
Showing posts with label Messiah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Messiah. Show all posts
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
The Third Wednesday of Advent -- December 14, 2011
Luke 7:18 - 23
John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’”
At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
I'm guessing that this passage is included as an Advent reading because of the line, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" Advent is about coming or arrival. So the "one who is to come" is about an arrival, that is, the one adventing among us . . . and John is particularly interested to know if Jesus is this one who was long-expected (the Jewish Messiah), or if someone/something else might be coming to save the people.
"Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?"
Let me offer this question in a contemporary, free translation: "Whose Advent is this? Is it your advent (coming), or does it belong to another?"
In our modern world you can hear all sorts of things this year about what is coming . . . about who or what can save us. We are approaching an election year, after all!
"Elect me. I'll create jobs!"
"I have a plan . . ."
"The more you spend, the better it is for the economy."
Everyone has a solution . . . the President and those who are seeking nomination to run against him . . . agencies and institutions . . . philosophies and idealogies . . . religious groups and social action causes . . . each, in their own way, embody for some people "the one who is to come."
In the Gospels, John seems very disappointed in Jesus, because he did not fit the typical expectations for "the one who is to come."
I wonder how we, too, are let down . . . finding out that Jesus does not share our political outlook . . . or our marriage to capitalism . . . or a work ethic that says, "whatever you have, you've earned" . . . or a nationalism so proud that it turns its back on the little and least.
If we were honest about our expectations, we too might consider walking away from Jesus disappointed. We might be tempted to look for another.
Either that, or take him as he is . . . not as we want him to be.
John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’”
At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
I'm guessing that this passage is included as an Advent reading because of the line, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" Advent is about coming or arrival. So the "one who is to come" is about an arrival, that is, the one adventing among us . . . and John is particularly interested to know if Jesus is this one who was long-expected (the Jewish Messiah), or if someone/something else might be coming to save the people.
"Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?"
Let me offer this question in a contemporary, free translation: "Whose Advent is this? Is it your advent (coming), or does it belong to another?"
In our modern world you can hear all sorts of things this year about what is coming . . . about who or what can save us. We are approaching an election year, after all!
"Elect me. I'll create jobs!"
"I have a plan . . ."
"The more you spend, the better it is for the economy."
Everyone has a solution . . . the President and those who are seeking nomination to run against him . . . agencies and institutions . . . philosophies and idealogies . . . religious groups and social action causes . . . each, in their own way, embody for some people "the one who is to come."
In the Gospels, John seems very disappointed in Jesus, because he did not fit the typical expectations for "the one who is to come."
I wonder how we, too, are let down . . . finding out that Jesus does not share our political outlook . . . or our marriage to capitalism . . . or a work ethic that says, "whatever you have, you've earned" . . . or a nationalism so proud that it turns its back on the little and least.
If we were honest about our expectations, we too might consider walking away from Jesus disappointed. We might be tempted to look for another.
Either that, or take him as he is . . . not as we want him to be.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The Third Sunday of Advent -- December 12, 2010
Matthew 11:2 - 11
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 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. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
In the Church's tradition, this Sunday is Gaudate Sunday. It marks a transition in Advent, a movement from judgment and darkness into rejoicing and even exaltation. The peace and justice anticipated in the Isaiah readings to this point in Advent draw nearer and nearer. Hard hearts soften. Injustices are righted. The light dawns.
After lighting purple candles the first two weeks of Advent, on the Third Sunday of Advent we light a pink candle to mark the transition toward joy.
At first reading, the Matthew 11:2 - 11 text seems out of place for Gaudate Sunday. John the Baptizer was in prison. The connection to "joy" is not easily apparent.
In an earlier Advent text, John announced the coming of the Messiah. His idea was that the Messiah was a "wrath to come" (Matt. 3:7), that "already the ax was laid at the root of the trees" (Matt. 3:10). That is, John believed that the Messiah would come to chop down every tree (person) who did not make a moral turn of life away from "sin" and toward God.
Further, he said the Messiah would bring "fire," that is, he cut down and burn up all that was unseemly or immoral (Matt. 3:10, 11).
John believed the Christ would fulfill the Baptist's message of judgment and separation. It seems that John held the common view of the Messiah held by much of Israel that the Christ would come in power to politically overthrow the enemies of God.
So at one level, John was justifiably confused. He sat in prison a captive of Herod with the expectation that Jesus would create an uprising against the Roman government, but that revolt didn't seem imminent. So his question was understandable. "Are you really the Messiah?" he asked. "You're not doing what I expected the Messiah to do."
I can't speak for you, but I've had my share of moments when I've asked God, "Is this really you?" Or, "Are you really leading me this way?" I can't tell you how many times I felt like I was over the edge, or out a bit too far on the limb. Many times I've felt like I was there alone . . . then I would read someone from history who had an experience similar to mine . . . or I would read a contemporary author write honestly about the spiritual life. I received just enough encouragement to know that I may have been "different," but was not completely crazy.
I read John's question and Jesus' response at another level, too. When John's followers asked, "Are you the one?" Jesus didn't answer directly. He said, "Tell John what you see: the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dead are raised. People are coming to authentic life."
I believe John was confused, expecting the ax of judgment and the fire of separation. Instead Jesus brought spiritual sight and hearing, healing and wholeness, life and meaning. Jesus' actions fell outside John's expectations, outside his ideas of who and what the Messiah would be.
Frankly, I think we have to be honest and say that John got it wrong. Some of his ideas about the coming Christ led away from, not toward, Jesus.
Jesus, on the other hand, did not castigate John. He did not badger John to change his ideas or his Messiah-framework. Jesus simply said, "Tell John what you see and experience of me. Tell him what I'm doing, how I'm spending my life. If this is what John believes the Messiah is sent to do, then I'm the one. But if he doesn't believe God would send this kind of Messiah, he'd better look somewhere else."
The same admonition could be given to any of us at Advent. Read the Gospels. Notice what Jesus did. What Jesus did, Jesus continues to do. He embodies mercy. He extends himself to persons in compassion. He forgives. He makes persons whole of spirit and mind until they are at peace within themselves. Then he animates those persons to bring peace to the world. He shapes persons, groups and structures for justice.
Is this the kind of Messiah you are looking for? Or are you looking for a judge, someone who divides and separates and sets people against one another and against God? (I'm not offering a caricature . . . there are plenty of people in our world who believe Jesus brings this kind of dividing, separating, nationalistic God-presence.)
So who are you looking for at Advent. Is the one who embodies mercy, compassion and peace who you will see birthed on Christmas Day? If you are looking for some other kind of Messiah, then you'll likely miss the birth of the Savior on Christmas Day.
But if you are open to a Messiah who brings sight to our blindness, hearing to our deafness, and life to our deadness, then Jesus is the one you have waited for.
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 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. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
In the Church's tradition, this Sunday is Gaudate Sunday. It marks a transition in Advent, a movement from judgment and darkness into rejoicing and even exaltation. The peace and justice anticipated in the Isaiah readings to this point in Advent draw nearer and nearer. Hard hearts soften. Injustices are righted. The light dawns.
After lighting purple candles the first two weeks of Advent, on the Third Sunday of Advent we light a pink candle to mark the transition toward joy.
At first reading, the Matthew 11:2 - 11 text seems out of place for Gaudate Sunday. John the Baptizer was in prison. The connection to "joy" is not easily apparent.
In an earlier Advent text, John announced the coming of the Messiah. His idea was that the Messiah was a "wrath to come" (Matt. 3:7), that "already the ax was laid at the root of the trees" (Matt. 3:10). That is, John believed that the Messiah would come to chop down every tree (person) who did not make a moral turn of life away from "sin" and toward God.
Further, he said the Messiah would bring "fire," that is, he cut down and burn up all that was unseemly or immoral (Matt. 3:10, 11).
John believed the Christ would fulfill the Baptist's message of judgment and separation. It seems that John held the common view of the Messiah held by much of Israel that the Christ would come in power to politically overthrow the enemies of God.
So at one level, John was justifiably confused. He sat in prison a captive of Herod with the expectation that Jesus would create an uprising against the Roman government, but that revolt didn't seem imminent. So his question was understandable. "Are you really the Messiah?" he asked. "You're not doing what I expected the Messiah to do."
I can't speak for you, but I've had my share of moments when I've asked God, "Is this really you?" Or, "Are you really leading me this way?" I can't tell you how many times I felt like I was over the edge, or out a bit too far on the limb. Many times I've felt like I was there alone . . . then I would read someone from history who had an experience similar to mine . . . or I would read a contemporary author write honestly about the spiritual life. I received just enough encouragement to know that I may have been "different," but was not completely crazy.
I read John's question and Jesus' response at another level, too. When John's followers asked, "Are you the one?" Jesus didn't answer directly. He said, "Tell John what you see: the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dead are raised. People are coming to authentic life."
I believe John was confused, expecting the ax of judgment and the fire of separation. Instead Jesus brought spiritual sight and hearing, healing and wholeness, life and meaning. Jesus' actions fell outside John's expectations, outside his ideas of who and what the Messiah would be.
Frankly, I think we have to be honest and say that John got it wrong. Some of his ideas about the coming Christ led away from, not toward, Jesus.
Jesus, on the other hand, did not castigate John. He did not badger John to change his ideas or his Messiah-framework. Jesus simply said, "Tell John what you see and experience of me. Tell him what I'm doing, how I'm spending my life. If this is what John believes the Messiah is sent to do, then I'm the one. But if he doesn't believe God would send this kind of Messiah, he'd better look somewhere else."
The same admonition could be given to any of us at Advent. Read the Gospels. Notice what Jesus did. What Jesus did, Jesus continues to do. He embodies mercy. He extends himself to persons in compassion. He forgives. He makes persons whole of spirit and mind until they are at peace within themselves. Then he animates those persons to bring peace to the world. He shapes persons, groups and structures for justice.
Is this the kind of Messiah you are looking for? Or are you looking for a judge, someone who divides and separates and sets people against one another and against God? (I'm not offering a caricature . . . there are plenty of people in our world who believe Jesus brings this kind of dividing, separating, nationalistic God-presence.)
So who are you looking for at Advent. Is the one who embodies mercy, compassion and peace who you will see birthed on Christmas Day? If you are looking for some other kind of Messiah, then you'll likely miss the birth of the Savior on Christmas Day.
But if you are open to a Messiah who brings sight to our blindness, hearing to our deafness, and life to our deadness, then Jesus is the one you have waited for.
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