Text: Matthew 11:2-11
Date: December 11, 2022
Event: The Third Sunday in Advent, Year A
Matthew 11:2-11 (EHV)
While John was in prison, he heard about the things Christ was doing. He sent two of his disciples 3to ask him, “Are you the Coming One or should we wait for someone else?”
4Jesus answered them, “Go, report to John what you hear and see: 5The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the gospel is preached to the poor. 6Blessed is the one who does not take offense at me.”
7As these two were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the crowds about John. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8What did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? No, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9So what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you! And he is much more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it is written, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11Amen I tell you: Among those born of women there has not appeared anyone greater than John the Baptist. Yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
How Do We Handle Advent Doubts?
If you have kids in your home (or you can think back to your own youth), maybe this conversation sounds a bit familiar. The Christmas tree goes up, the lights and ornaments are all placed, and then after a few days—even if it is weeks until Christmas—the kids start looking side-eyed under the tree. If there are no presents there in a few days, the children perhaps start wondering to themselves or even out loud, “Will there be any presents this year?”
A season of preparation can be difficult to find patience. Because while on the one hand, we’ve seen that we’re in trouble if we’re not preparing, if we’re dismissing or ignoring what God has done, on the other hand, if we’re really invested in the preparation and then also don’t see things obviously progressing, it can be discouraging and frustrating. We can be impatient or even doubtful that what we are preparing for is even going to arrive or happen.
And that might be kind of the situation we find ourselves in during this Advent season. We know that, Lord-willing, December 25 will come. Our preparations for the celebration of Jesus’ first advent will take place and it will be a joyful time. But what about the main advent we’re preparing and waiting for? What about Jesus’ return? What about heaven?
In our Gospel this morning, we meet up with some familiar people—John the Baptist and Jesus—but it’s later than we’re used to seeing them mentioned together. This is well after Jesus’ baptism by John and John clearly pointing to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This is well into Jesus’ ministry, at a time when John’s ministry has all but fizzled into nothing. Now, John knew and even said this would happen. He had said that Jesus must become greater while he needed to shrink away.
But I would guess that John probably didn’t see things going down like this. He’s not becoming less to eventually move into retirement. He’s not transitioning careers or moving on to other service opportunities once Jesus’ ministry takes shape. No, John is in prison. And as we know, his stay in prison will end only when Herod has him beheaded.
We don’t know what John’s state of mind was exactly, but Matthew tells us that John sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus a question. It would not be unreasonable to think that perhaps John is concerned that things are not going the way God had planned, and thus is seeking some answers. Was this really the intended final chapter for the the one to prepare the way for the Savior? It’s also very possible that John knows exactly what’s happening and is at peace, but that his disciples are losing heart at what is happening, so he sends them to hear from and see Jesus directly.
Whatever John’s motivation is, he sends his disciples with a pretty direct question: “Are you the Coming One or should we wait for someone else?” The question is point-blank: are you really the Christ, the Messiah? Or is someone else coming?
And Jesus’ answer is fascinating. He could have just said, “Yes, I am the one who was promised.” But he doesn’t do that. His answer to John and his disciples is: “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the gospel is preached to the poor. Blessed is the one who does not take offense at me.” Everything that Jesus said were paraphrases of Old Testament promises of what signs and work would accompany the arrival of the Messiah; some of those promises resonated in our First Reading this morning from Isaiah 35. So Jesus doesn’t just point John to himself (though he certainly could have), but he points him to what had been written by inspiration about his work so many years ago.
If we go back to the child wondering if Christmas (and the presents) will ever come, we can trace a similar answer. If the child says, “Are presents going to come? Will Christmas ever arrive?” A parent’s answer of “Yes, of course,” is not exactly what Jesus said. An answer that would mirror Jesus’ answer would be, “Look around. See that we’ve put up the tree and lights and ornaments? Do you see the other decorations in the neighborhood? See the calendar’s notes about the upcoming holiday? All of these point to your answer.”
When it comes to God keeping his promises, we can feel a bit like a child anticipating Christmas. We struggle with sin—both our own and other’s sin—and we long to be free from it all in totality. We go through emotional and physical struggles and trials. Disease impacts our bodies and the well-being of those we love. All of this starts to pile up and we start to get a little bit impatient. Perhaps doubts starts to creep into our minds. And, suddenly, perhaps our prayers are a little less trusting and a little more questioning, “Are you the Coming One or should we wait for someone else?”
Jesus answers our sin-smeared doubts and impatience in the same way he answered John and his disciples. He points us to the Scriptures. What was written about him? What was promised about him? Up to the point that Jesus was speaking to John’s disciples, he was fulfilling many promises about the Messiah. But we know even further. We can compare the rest of his life and work to the rest of the promises in Scripture: Born of a virgin? Check. Born in Bethlehem? Check. Healer of diseases, demon possessions, and even death? Check. Betrayed by a dear friend? Check. Belittled and disfigured by those in authority? Check. Pierced for our transgressions? Check. Gave up his life? Check. Rose on third day? Check.
Jesus fulfilled every promise that God had made about the Messiah. No, we shouldn’t be looking for a different Savior; he has come and fulfilled the work we needed him to do. Now, what other promises has he made to us that we don’t see so clearly fulfilled because they’re a bit more esoteric or because they just haven’t happed yet? Well, it’s all the things that we just listed being doubtful or impatient about: is he really taking care of us, working all things for our good? Is he really forgiving my sins, even those things I still feel really guilty about? Is he really going to come and bring us home to himself?
Jesus could just say yes, but instead he again and again points us to the testimony about himself in his Word. Has he been proven trustworthy in the past? What reason, other than our own lack of true understanding of his plans and ways would we have for assuming that he’s changed his mind or his view or his plan? Is that ever the way God has worked? Has he ever promised and then not followed through?
Advent doubts are normal—as we long to see Jesus return and it seems like he’s a long time in coming, we can begin to wonder if this is all real and accurate. But we have God’s own testimony and track record for us in the Scriptures. Look to the history of your God’s work for you to find confidence in the promises yet to be fulfilled. Your King will come, and until the time that he does, he’s with you, guarding and protecting you. Bring your impatience, your doubts, every sin to him, and find in his arms perfect love and forgiveness that will endure through eternity. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
