Luke 7:18-28 | Lectionary Sketch of the Week

 

Lectionary Sketch of the Week
Advent 3 (Series C) *Posted Late

Luke 7:18-28

¹⁸The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, ¹⁹calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” ²⁰And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” ²¹In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. ²²And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. ²³And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

   ²⁴When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ²⁵What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. ²⁶What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ²⁷This is he of whom it is written,

“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
   who will prepare your way before you.’

²⁸I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Advent is all about waiting. John the Baptist has been waiting in our reading this morning. He has been waiting for the Messiah. That is more important waiting even than his waiting in prison. He sends for his disciples to ask if He is the one or if he should wait for another. They come back with Jesus’ words of fulfillment of all the Old Testament Scriptures. There is no better answer. This is the light that illumined his heart in the midst of the darkness of prison. Christ is the One. He is the One who brings salvation to us all. In our times of waiting, we also have Christ and Christ alone. He is more than enough.