March 12 - Lenten Devotional

When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’” Jesus had just then cured many people of diseases, plagues, and evil spirits, and had given sight to many who were blind. And he answered them, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me. (Luke 7:20-23)

The wonderful - and annoying - nature of much of the Biblical text is that it doesn’t tell us with certainty what anything means. We like to KNOW things. The Bible presents us stories, sayings, parables, and rarely clear commandments. It is open to varied meanings and interpretations.

I say this because generally I imagine that what Jesus is doing in this piece of the text of Luke is saying to John’s disciples, “Let the fruit of my spirit answer your question for me.” Jesus doesn’t give an answer – he simply points out what kind of things are happening around him and let’s that witness speak for himself. John’s answer lies in what Jesus is doing… not in any direct response to his question.

Here we see John and his disciples wanting –waiting – to KNOW. And Jesus says nothing – but demonstrates and lives everything - and the only thing - that John and his disciples need to see. On one level this is what the text is telling us… John’s answer lies in the fact that “messiah” like activity happens around Jesus and so the answer must be “yes – I am the one you are waiting for.”

However…
(did you see this one coming?)
I think the text, like much of the Bible, gives us more than one meaning. And what caught my attention today was the contrast between two ideas:

“Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?”

“The blind receive... lame walk… lepers are cleansed… poor have good new brought to them.”

Active verbs. Active ministry. Good News!
Or… we could just wait until we KNOW.

What if Jesus’ message to John isn’t an answer about who he is… but more a statement that says, “While you are waiting – I’m bringing good news! While you are worried that you have right answers -I’m healing people! While you are seeking second opinions – I’m giving my life among the least, the lost, and the hopeless.”

I love to KNOW… I like to be certain of things, to have order and organization and clarity. Sometimes however we just need to get out there… to “go forth” and “bring good news”. Otherwise we run the risk of sitting in our upper rooms, our church buildings and our ivory towers thinking great thoughts… that cannot feed God’s sheep.

“Go, and tell John what you have seen and heard”…. Go get him moving already!!

What is it that you are waiting for?
Is good news being heard – and happening – around you?
Have you moved beyond knowing… to faith and trust?


Mysterious God, Help us to move beyond our desire to know and be certain.
Strengthen us to risk trusting your word – and living your good news. Amen.