What Are You Expecting?

And John to him,

“Are you the one who is to come,

or are we to wait for another?”

Jesus answered them, “

Go and tell John what you hear and see."

(from  Mt.11:2-11)

What are you expecting?

Ed was a lover of jazz who had an informal jazz band. For his 80th birthday, his sons gave him tickets to hear the Preservation Hall Jazz band in New Orleans.

In his mind was some form of a concert hall with a stage and seats.

Instead, he found a small building squeezed between other small buildings in the French Quarter.

Instead, he sat on a bench. The remaining 100 people either sat on benches, floor cushions, or stood.

It wasn't his expectation, but he saw and heard Preservation Hall's fantastic jazz.

John the Baptist ended up in a prison cell because he was expecting Emmanuel.

From his prison cell, John heard about Jesus' ministry so he sent his disciples to ask, “Are you Emmanuel, the Messiah, to lead us from captivity?” 

Jesus answered, “Go and tell John what you see and hear: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised."

Jesus says to tell John what you see, a different kingdom than you were expecting.

Jesus’ answer asks all of us what we are expecting. 

What alternative are you expecting if you are confined to one of life's prison cells like addiction?

What alternative are you hoping for when if feels as though the cards are stacked against you during chemo?

The Good News is that Jesus is coming to ease your suffering, to show you an alternative to your life's stacked deck.

Jesus is coming but it may not be what you expect.

Jesus is coming to heal the condition of all God’s people, as described in Isaiah.

Jesus is coming to fulfill God's promise of hope.