When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Matthew 11: 2-5
Jesus told John’s disciples to make a report of the work of the kingdom. He instructed them to go and tell all that they had heard and seen, to share stories of the power and wonder of God. Specifically, to make known how those who could not see had received sight, to shout aloud tales of neighbors who could not walk but were now able to take steps, to witness to the power of healings from disease, to sing of the deaf who could now hear, and preach about the dead being raised, and how the good news is shared.
Jesus’ call to report what was seen and heard was in response to a question about his authenticity as the Messiah. Was Jesus really the Christ, the promised Savior? God’s people have sometimes felt that God is far off and not a real presence in daily life. How do we respond when we hear that wondering? What do we say when we hear neighbors or even question ourselves about the reality of God in our midst? Like John’s disciples, we too have stories to share.
The stories we are called to share are not idle tales. Rather, they serve as a way to testify to the power of God in this place and to remind us that the work of God’s kingdom is not far off. It is here.
My story is that my daughter lived. Born unable to swallow and plagued with difficulty breathing, she lived! Her pediatrician told me at her one year check up, “If you had told me a year ago that Cori would be alive on her first birthday, I wouldn’t have believed you.” I marvel at her healing and wonder what God has in store for her future.
I invite you to make 2020 a year of telling stories. How have you seen the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those with diseases healed, the deaf hear, the dead raised, and the good news proclaimed to the poor? We have stories to tell! Let’s tell them.
