Advent: Week 3: Wednesday: Year C

1^st Reading: Isaiah 45: 6-8. 21-26: Send victory like a dew, you heavens!

Gospel: Luke 7: 19-23: Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard.

Jesus answers the question of John the Baptist:

Is Jesus the Messiah?7:18-28.

What we need to remember is that God will meet and answer any honest question posed by a needful person, where as Jesus did not give any answer to the scribes and Pharisees in day before yesterday’s gospel because of their dishonest question. This passage gives Jesus’ answer to John’s question; this is the final proof of Jesus’ Messiahship.

1.     John, in prison, heard of Jesus’ loving works.

a.     John was puzzled: pictured a stern Messiah. Jesus seemed to be fulfilling only half of the prophecies concerning the Messiah, the half dealing with ministry. The prophecies dealing with the righteousness and judgement were not being fulfilled (Mt 11: 1-6; 11: 2-3). John needed assurance.

b.    John sent two disciples to question Jesus’ Messiaship. Jesus answered.

2.     The ministry and Message of Jesus proved he was the Messiah.

a.     He demonstrated the power and works of the Messiah (v. 21).

b.    He fulfilled the prophecies of the Messiah. What they had seen and heard. (Lk 3: 24-31; Jn 1: 45; Mt 1: 1-2:1:18;...).

c.      He preached the gospel the Messiah. The “poor in the spirit.”

d.    He promised both the blessing and judgement the Messiah. Salvation of God’s love and care for people. The Messiah is to fulfil the judgement of God when he returns. (Mt 11: 1-6).

“As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.” (Jn 12: 47)

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