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.

John the Baptist was in prison. He had made the prophecy that the Messiah would come. Was Jesus of Nazareth the true, promised Messiah? It is an honest question. What was John's vision of what the Messiah would be like? Did he think the Messiah would be a political figure to bring change to Israel? If so, why was he, John, still in prison? Did John think the Messiah would bring political and social and economic and ecological change as well? He wondered, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"

And when Jesus answered, he gave the correct definition of the work of the Messiah. Jesus replied, 4 "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."

We may not be in prison like John, but sometimes we wonder about Jesus in the same way. If Jesus is really "King of kings and Lord of lords," where is the political, social, economic and even ecological leadership and change that we want? Is Jesus really my personal Savior, or as John said, "Should we expect someone else?"

And Jesus tells us the same as he told John. It is a report of what we hear and see. We see the love and charity of Christians, especially at this time of year. This love and charity even spills out into secular society and even into the hearts of non-believers at this time of year! It is like the blind receiving sight, the lame walking, the sick cured, and even like the dead being raised. It is because the good news is being preached to the poor. Preached to the poor in spirit, the poor in heart, the poor in health, and the poor economically. And blessed are those who believe in Jesus as their Savior.

And we have a sign that is even greater. It is a sign that John the Baptist was not blessed to see. In the scriptures we have seen the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is this Good News that has been preached to us who are poor in spirit, yet rich in the Holy Spirit.

And because we have seen that great sign of the cross and resurrection, we know that we have forgiveness of sins and eternal life in Jesus Christ. Because we have seen and believed this sign, we see the work of Christ in those other signs that we given to John the Baptist. We see the work of God in the love and charity shown to others, especially at Christmas. Therefore we share in the hope that Isaiah prophesied to the Israelites in Exile in Babylon. They were like John the Baptist in prison. Had God forsaken them? Should they look for another god or savior? And the Prophet Isaiah proclaimed the love and forgiveness of God. He proclaimed hope.

And this is why we celebrate Christmas with hope and joy and faith. Should we look for another? No! We have found the Messiah: in the manger, at the Sea of Galilee, on the cross, in the Garden of the Resurrection, and in our own lives and hearts. He has been revealed by the Holy Spirit in the scriptures and in the sacraments.

I may not have all my Christmas shopping finished, but I am ready for Christmas. I believe in Jesus as my Savior.

Amen.

Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church