κήρυξον τὸν λόγον

Say to him, Are you the coming one, or should we expect another? (v 3) [Introduction] When you read the story of Israel, there’s a common theme that appears over and over again: God does not always act in ways that people expect. When God delivered Israel from slavery, he chose Moses, not while he was prince in Egypt but after he became a murderer who went into hiding as a shepherd. When God delivered Israel from the Midianites, he chose Gideon, the least important member of the least important family of his tribe. When God delivered Israel from the Philistines, he did not send Israel’s best warrior, but David, who was just a boy with a sling and a small rock to stand up against a giant named Goliath. When God spoke to his prophet Elijah at Mount Horeb, he did not do it through the spectacular fashion of wind, earthquake, or fire, but through a whisper. And when God brought ultimate deliverance to his people, who would expect he would do it through a baby born to die. 4. Still many i...

Now when John heard in prison about the work of the Christ, having sent word by his disciples, he said to [Jesus], ‘Are you the coming one or should we look for another?’ And when Jesus answered, he said to them, When you have gone, announce to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight and the lame walk; Lepers are being cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are being raised, and the poor are being evangelized. And blessed is the one who is not scandalized by me.’ I want to tell you a story ... a story that never happened. The mother of four young children was critically injured in a devastating car crash that left her hospitalized for three months. During this time, the children weren’t allowed to visit their mother ... because of COVID protocols and whatnot. The only contact the children had with their mom was by telephone. Finally, the day came when Mom could return home. Her oldest daughter met her at the door with screams of delight.  Mom, you’re home! Excitedly, ...

Rejoice! That’s the name given this Third Sunday in Advent. Rejoice! This is the day of the year designated to help us remember to Rejoice in the Lord always! (Pp 4:4). This call to rejoice can be heard as both a greeting and a command. And it can be heard in the Word for our meditation today, from Matthew chapter 11, where Jesus says to John’s disciples , After you have gone, announce to John what you hear and see: the blind gain sight and the lame are walking, lepers are being cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are being raised, and the poor are being evangelized. And blessed is whoever is not being scandalized in me (vv 4-6). In other words, Rejoice. I will say again, rejoice at what you see and hear: Jesus comes to you with good news of great joy ... You, the baptized children of God, the inheritors of the heavenly kingdom, are hearing and seeing the Gospel that our Lord Jesus Christ has come, he will come, and he continues to come. He comes with healing. He comes with doubl...

Our Gospel reading this morning from Matthew chapter 2 revolves around two questions ... the question of John the Baptizer to Jesus: Are you the Coming One? Or should we expect another? (v. 3) ... And the question of Jesus to the crowds about John: What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? ... What did you go out to see? (vv. 7-8). These questions are not insignificant as we reflect on the coming of our Lord. They both ask ...  WHY ARE YOU HERE? 1. John the Baptizer asked this question first of Jesus.  Like John, every Christian has probably asked this question in one form or another at least once. Maybe you heard it phrased this way instead: What do you think of Jesus? Is He actually God, or just a good man with a good word about good living? ... Is God really a man, or does he just seem to be? ... Did God really come in the flesh? ... Did God really die? ... Is Jesus really our Savior, or is He the Judge? ... Is Jesus the center of your being, or an embellishme...