Even the best of us doubt and get discouraged.

“Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciple.“ -Matthew 11:2

John rotting away in a jail cell, not knowing the future.  We know what would become of him. He could only imagine and suspect. That this would not end well. 

John in prison hears about the Ministry of the one whom he predicted and announced. It was Jesus, born of Mary, his cousin, baptized by his own hand. 

The man of mystery, the man of wonder, the man of hope, the man of righteousness was this Jesus.

He hears the works of Jesus, but he wonders. Things may not be happening as quickly as he had hoped. In his own self-doubt, and in the darkness of the dank cell, he sends two representatives to inquire. 

They come and ask Jesus, “art thou he who should come, or do we look for another?”

John needs to know. Is my life’s work complete, or is there more to be said and more to be done? Was my hope or is my hope in vain? Are you the one or is the one still coming? 

Jesus sends this message back to John. He says go and show John those things that you do hear and see. Go back and reassure John. 

Blind folks receive their sight.  The lame walk. Let him know that the lepers are clean. Let John know that the deaf hear. Tell him that the dead are raised. The poor hear the news preached to them. 

Tell John that the person who is not offended in me is truly and absolutely blessed. Take that good news to John.  As those two messengers return to John who is in prison still, Jesus looks around. At the people standing there who must be wondering about that transaction and he begins to teach them that as great a man as John is, there is a new standard for greatness.

Real greatness since Christ’s coming is not measured as you used to measure it.

Advent brings a new day. Christmas is a new day. It is the day of the Kingdom. It is the beginning of a new order with new people, new greatness, and new standards. 

Whether you’re in a dark cell, grieving, mourning, or suffering, all things are new.