Monday Scripture: Luke 7
Good News: Jesus at Work
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John the Baptist sent disciples to ask Jesus,
"Are you the one who is 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 see, 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.”
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When he Baptized Jesus in the Jordan, John was certain.
He had found the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
The sun was shining.
The river was cool and comfortable.
The people were cheering.
But John had been jailed for his witness.
In confinement, it's hard to be certain of anything.
Oh, Jesus was doing some cool stuff.
But John was calling for fire and brimstone, confrontation and judgment.
Jesus kept talking about loving your enemies,
peace that passes all understanding,
blessed are the meek...
He seemed to be LOVING sinners.
It wasn't at all what John expected.
Where were all the fireworks?
2020 has NOT been what I expected.
Sometimes we've all felt like we were in solitary confinement.
With all the conflicting messages, it's been hard to be certain of anything.
Jesus sent word to his cousin:
I'm hard at work, building the kingdom of God.
It may not be what you expected, but blessed are those who see what I AM doing.
Jesus is still at work in 2020.
It is not at all what we expected,
but blessed are those who see God's miracles all around us
instead of wishing things were going according to our plans.
So today, go tell someone what you have seen and heard.
Jesus is still hard at work,
and his plan is still going just fine.