Saturday and Sunday, December 14 and 15, 2019

Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.” Matthew 11:4-5

John the Baptist, while in prison for denouncing Herod’s immorality, sends his disciples to ask Jesus if he is the Messiah or is another coming after him. Why? If we compare this question of the Baptist to his preaching at the beginning of his ministry, it is not consistent. The Baptist who vehemently said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This is the one of whom I said… ”John 1: 29-32

How is it possible that a prophet of the quality of John, after this earlier revelation that boldly announces the arrival of the Messiah, is now questioning whether Jesus is the one to come? The reality was that John has been imprisoned. John knows that his imprisonment is not fair and that the possibility of getting out of there alive is virtually nil. Jail changes one’s perspective of life. It is a lonely, inhospitable, unpleasant and cruel place. Faced with this loneliness and martyrdom, John asks, not doubts, but asks. Jesus responds not with promises, but with testimony.

How many times have we been in a situation similar to that of the Baptist: alone, beaten, insecure, helpless in the circumstances of life? We tend to pity ourselves and focus our eyes on our misery. Jesus suggests to John to look at the facts of his ministry, because by the facts, it is known who Jesus is. Likewise, we must look at the facts of Jesus in our times of anguish. That is the time to remember his acts of mercy and justice toward the weak and helpless. It’s about transforming our vision and hope.

Lord Jesus, help us to remember that you came to bring us your mercy and justice. Let your testimony transform our lives and bring us hope in all circumstances. Amen!

C. Nydia Lugo is co-pastor at Beit-El Kingdom of God Community Church, a non-denominational Latino congregation in Philadelphia.