December 27, 2012
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 11:1-6
OBSERVATIONS
The Jews lived with a fervent hope that one day their messiah would come to liberate them from their oppressors and re-establish David’s kingdom, or the kingdom of God.
That time would be a time of miracles and blessings, when the blind would receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy would be cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead raised, and the good news proclaimed to the poor.
Jesus quotes Isaiah 61 when He preaches in His hometown of Nazareth (Luke 4:14-30), which also speaks of this.
John is hopeful, but still not certain – afterall, he was still in prison, why wasn’t he being freed?
According to Jesus, the signs (miracles) are the answer, the proof that He is Who He says He is.
In Jesus we see the kingdom of God – God’s better world – being revealed!
What do you notice in this passage?
APPLICATION
In God’s world, the world as God created it to be (see Genesis 1-2), there is health and joy and abundance and harmony and freedom and responsibility.
In God’s world, humans were in charge, entrusted with the responsibility of caring for the creation (not abusing it).
In God’s creation kingdom, no one was blind, lame, leprous, deaf, dead or poor.
The day is coming, when God will restore humans to their rightful place, responsible God-like rulers.
In Jesus, that day has begun: He is Adam restored, He has the authority of God to forgive, to restore, to release.
He has defeated the dominion of darkness, released captives from sin, death and hell, and taken back the throne for humanity.
Right now, Jesus is in charge, and He is sending out His ambassadors to live out the new kingdom life, to demonstrate the new kingdom order, to declare the way of the Lord in word and deed.
That’s where we come in.
I belong to this new kingdom, I need to live like it; I need to be an agent of justice, truth, healing, grace, restoration, and good news for the poor, oppressed, weak.
How am I doing?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER