Forgive us for mistaking the impressive for the significant.

One of the great dangers of the Christmas story is an over-familiarity with the details, which weakens its impact.  We are so accustomed to the chronicle – a virgin becoming pregnant after an angel speaks to her, a man dreaming that he should proceed with the relationship, a donkey-journey to another village, a birth in a stable, shepherds, angelic choirs, a special star, exotic visitors from afar, infanticide, and then a flight to Egypt of all places.

So much legend is woven in; so much left unsaid, that it would take many words and lengthy conversations to get closer to the true events.  However, that is not what our conversation is about today because, as everyone knows, Christmas is over.  The Advent ceremonies and messages belong to the first part of December until the climax is reached and the Christ candle is lit.  We talk about the Light of the world, the Child who was born, love, hope, peace, and joy with all the anticipation and expectation leading up to the Christmas Eve service, with the drama and solemnity of the most important events in the history of mankind.  

Then it’s Christmas Day, and it’s over.

The week after Christmas is different.  I look forward to the relaxation in cooking and preparations for Christmas day, which are always tackled with great enthusiasm in our house. I feel free to rest guiltlessly, enjoying the silence without lists and the abandon of doing nothing.  It is during this time that the reality of whatever lies ahead slowly creeps back into our thoughts, and you could be thinking what on earth has changed? 

Christmas came and went.  I prepared myself to realize and celebrate the full impact of the Feast, but my life, problems, illness, and hardships cling to me like a stubborn leech that I cannot cut out.

An integral part of the Christmas story is the life of John the Baptist. About him, Jesus spoke these remarkable words: 

Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  (Matthew 11:11)

In the previous passage, it explains who he is.  Not the earthly, somewhat unusual Elijah-like figure, but the heavenly perspective of a life that perfectly fulfills its purpose, the Divine Plan.

 For this is he of whom it is written:

‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You. (11:10)

Just further in the chapter, Jesus expressly states that John is Elijah, whom the Jews expected to come to prepare the way for the Messiah (11:14).

John preaches and administers the Jewish baptism of repentance.  Amongst the anger and suspicion of the Pharisees and scribes, some of whom also came to be baptized by him, he exposes their own uncertainty and fruitless ministry, burdening their followers with crippling loads of laws, compelling obedience in fear that the “church” of the day might reject them.

John has prepared all the people for the One who is to come:

And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.  (Mark 1:7)

On an ordinary day, unpredicted and surprising, a regular man steps onto the baptismal scene, and the ordinary becomes extraordinary – without warning.

The Holy Spirit speaks through the mouth of John.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!  (John 1:29)

John the Baptist is a witness to the miraculous events at the baptism of Jesus.  John, the Apostle, writes down his testimony in John 1.  In Matthew, the grand moment where the God of heaven and earth reveals Himself as the Trinity is described as follows:

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”  (Matthew 3:16,17)

As we know, Jesus’ ministry begins shortly thereafter.  Things worked out differently for John the Baptist than he expected.  Surely, he experienced the joy of the miracles surrounding Jesus.  His anticipation and expectation  only increased as he heard about the wonders, also when his disciples, with his approval, left him to follow Jesus, and as Jesus’ fame began to spread. 

And then… John is thrown into prison, and his participation in the grandeur is abruptly cut short by the cruel injustice perpetrated by an evil ruler symbolizing all that is vile.

Amidst all the miracles of liberation and healing, was there perhaps one for John’s release from the darkness and suffering of a Herodian dungeon?

Apparently not.  Jesus continues, knowing that John is suffering.  So much so, that doubt arises in John.  What must he have thought?  Jesus is family; He knows a prison is no child’s play, yet… there’s nothing special emerging from the wonders proclaimed around Jesus.

John’s expectations disappoint.  Did he also secretly think the time of Jewish domination had come?  Did he also hope that Jesus would deal with Roman oppression?  When would the greater events, the impressive, the hope of restoration to the glory of Solomon and world dominion, arrive? All he hears is Jesus’s ministry among the outcasts of society, the lowest classes, the sick and destitute, and on top of it all , tax collectors and women, even those with questionable morals.

It’s clear that his disciples are concerned about him and visit him in prison. Through them, he sends a message to Jesus.

And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”  (Matthew 11:2,3)

Several theologians are hesitant to acknowledge that John himself doubted and interpret his question as if he had asked on behalf of his disciples. However, for others, there’s no issue in acknowledging without reservation that John experienced a crisis of faith.  Things didn’t unfold as he had expected.  In the wonder surrounding the baptism of Jesus, that which he was called for and which he proclaimed with great conviction and fearless courage, was confirmed with heavenly approval.  What now?

Jesus responds to him – through the disciples – with these words:

Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (11:4-6)

The idea of being blessed even when things don’t turn out as expected is profound.  The phrase “And blessed is anyone who is not offended because of Me” (Matthew 11:6) carries a deeper meaning.

The word “offence” holds an interesting significance.  In its literal meaning in Greek, it implies a trap or a stumbling block, something that will hurt you. 

Offence is when we are emotionally and spiritually wounded and hurt, disappointed, and saddened by failure. It’s the breeding ground for bitterness and anger.

Are the miracles that Jesus chooses to perform not as impressive as the expectations of world domination, grand interventions, and popular public policies?  Do we confuse the impressive with what truly holds meaning and can bring about a life transformation for each individual?

Do we understand God’s plan?  Are you, even in your disappointment with God, illness and struggle exactly where you need to be to grasp the true significance of the Messiah’s coming?  Do you see the significant in your disappointment with the impressive?

Go… ask Jesus!