Already - Not Yet

2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" 4 Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me." (Matthew 11:2-6)

The question John the Baptist asks of Jesus, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?", is filled with the hopeful (or anxious) anticipation of Advent. From prison, John couldn't see for himself all that Jesus was doing, and what he did know didn't fit his expectations for the Messiah. But Jesus came to meet our needs rather than our expectations. By literally and figuratively opening blinded eyes and closed ears, restoring life, and bringing the good news of forgiveness and salvation to those cut off from the community of faith, Jesus ushered in a new type of reign. Jesus' reign would not be one of physical might and power or gloom and doom prophecy, but one of abundant life now and into eternity.

What "not yet" mentality keeps us locked behind prison walls that impede our vision and separate our hearts and minds from experiencing what God is "already" doing, let alone anticipating the good that is to come? With courage we can look beyond our present circumstances and into the ever-present promise of God with us.

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; 10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 35:5-6,10)