ONEFamily
Outreach exists to "Connect
Kids to Community and Communities to Kids." Have you considered having a
mission week for your church? This
is one of my favorite "in-depth" ways of reaching out with the Great News of
Jesus Christ. Activities can include:
Interactive and participative praise concerts for children,
youth, and families;
Morning staff studies on "Authentic Leadership"
and "Building a Culture of Intentional Courtesy"
Brown-Bag Luncheon Studies for your community
focusing on our scriptural call to justice;
In-service for your volunteers or teachers on reaching
today's youth and families with the vibrant, living, message of Jesus
Christ;
Evening parent seminars based upon two of
Jerry's recent books: "Significant Conversations: Helping Young People
Live Meaningful Lives," and "The Deepest Longing of Young People; Loving
Without Conditions."
Local networking with other area groups (secular
or faith-based) regarding prevention and intervention strategies for
high-risk and incarcerated youth;
Humorous and thought-provoking school assemblies
(secular or religious, elementary through high school).
ONEFamily
Outreach is primarily
supported by your donations and by trainings, workshops, retreats and concerts.
[2] Now when John in prison heard of the works of Christ, he sent {word} by his disciples, [3] and said to Him, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” [4] And Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: [5] {the} blind receive sight and {the} lame walk, {the} lepers are cleansed and {the} deaf hear, and {the} dead are raised up, and {the} poor have the gospel preached to them. [6] “And blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over Me.”
[7] And as these were going {away,} Jesus began to speak to the multitudes about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? [8] “But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft {clothing} Behold, those who wear soft {clothing} are in kings’ palaces. [9] “But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet. [10] “This is the one about whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ [11] “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen {anyone} greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (NAS)
Matthew 11:2-3
[2] Now when John in prison heard of the works of Christ, he sent {word} by his disciples, [3] and said to Him, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?”
Are you the Expected One?
The works of a person speak more about him than his/her words. While imprisoned by Herod Antipas, John sends his disciples to ask Jesus the ultimate question; “Are you the One?”
One might think that John the Baptizer had known this already – for in the very beginning of John (the Beloved’s) Gospel, he is already sending apostles to the Christ [see John 1]. There are three factors that we need to keep in mind to understand this reading more fully:
The primary focus of John’s Gospel was to refute the heresies that were developing in the early church. One of the heresies was that John was greater than Jesus. Therefore, the gospel of John has a different emphasis than the synoptic Gospels. For example, Matthew primarily writes to Jewish believers so he emphasizes that Jesus was the historic Jewish messiah.
It is quite possible that John was arrested by Herod on more than one occasion. John was openly opposed to the “system” of religious and political oppression in Israel. He also condemned Herod Antipas for marrying his brother, Philip I’s wife (Herodias). It was Herodias who masterminded John’s beheading.
And, John is in Antipa’s hellhole. There, in the dank stink of Herod Antipas’ dungeon, John may have sought an affirmation of the hope upon which John had staked his entire life. Perhaps, before his inevitable death at Herod’s hand, John is seeking to put to rest any lingering doubt which would certainly have been exacerbated in Herod’s dungeons. John hears of Christ’s signs and sighs; “Tell me, has my life been well-lived?”
It is Christ’s works that testify to Christ’s words. Can we say the same for us? Do people automatically think of the Savior when they have been near us? Do our deeds go before us like the work of a craftsman – impressive beyond our presence? Do others “know we are Christians by the simple testimony of our love?”
Another important point to glean from this reading is this: Many times, I have prayed beside those whose immediate circumstances seemed too dim for hope. At those times, I have been stunned by the depth of faith that it takes to ask for the blessing of God’s presence when it is darkest around us. In the face of death, when a loved one passes on, when battling depression or addiction; these are the times that are hardest to call upon Christ. In this story, we see John in just such a moment – and we see Christ’s response. No condemnation for doubt – only invitation and comfort in the promises of Christ. “See me work. Put me to the test. Ask and you shall receive…”
These are the messages that the Messiah delivers to the defeated John – and also to us – in the midst of our darkness and despair.
Word Search
The works [2041, Ergon]; the deeds, acts or labor of a man.
He that should come [2064, Erchomai]; John is asking; “Are you the promised?” “Are you the One to who all hope points?” “Are you the Messiah foretold in scripture?”
The actions of Jesus Christ give John the courage to ask this – the greatest of questions – from the darkness of the prison. It is the work of the Lord in our life that dares us to the expectation of dawn while yet in the cloak of darkness; “He IS the Expected One!”
Matthew 11:4-5
[4] And Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: [5] {the} blind receive sight and {the} lame walk, {the} lepers are cleansed and {the} deaf hear, and {the} dead are raised up, and {the} poor have the gospel preached to them.
Report to John what you hear and see!
The infinite patience of Jesus is displayed in this tender moment. Rather than reprimand John for his lack of faith, he buoys the faint hopes of a faithful follower facing death. There is no “preachiness” here, no pretense, no admonishing. He simply whispers; “Tell him what I’m up to, he will understand.”
Jesus is doing what the prophets have foretold. Since the early days of the Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joel, and right up to Mary and John; “The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor hear Good News!”
Every action in this sentence implies a little more than just meeting the expectation – as if all the words are “supercharged”. Not only do the blind see – they have revelations! Not only do the lame walk – they are possessed with walking! Lepers aren’t cleansed – they’re purged! The poor aren’t preached to – they are changed, evangelized!
I must constantly ask myself when I visit hospitals, rest homes, jails or detention centers; “What revelation can I bring those whose vision is dim? What do I have to say that might “raise up” someone who is dying inside or has grown deaf to hope? What words and actions would be good news to the impoverished?”
Word Search
Shew / Show [518, Appagello]; “Reveal to John, announce to him!” In other words, don’t just hint, whimper or nudge – let the whole world know!
Preached to them [2097, Euaggelizo]; to evangelize – the unabashed sharing of something that has turned your own life inside out and upside down. Announcing the great news with the work of you heart and the love of your hands. (Remember the adage attributed to Saint Francis; “Preach the Gospel at all times – if necessary; use words”).
Matthew 11:6
6 “And blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over Me.”
He who keeps from stumbling…
Jesus tells John’s disciples to share with their mentor; “Those who are not tripped up or scandalized by what I am doing and saying – will know the peace of God’s joy.”
What compassionate joy to encourage John to stand strong in his beliefs as he suffers under Herod’s thumb. “Stick to it, cousin. There is peace in store when you have completed the course.”
Is this reflective of my life? John was arrested because he boldly stood up to systemic injustice and confronted those who used it to their advantage. He did not just preach the arrival of the Messiah, he preached the condemnation of unjust leaders – and he preached it to their faces.
Since John’s time, many people have preached the Second Coming of Christ, but do they preach the whole message? Do they demand a “preparation of the Way?” Are we preaching a change in systemic injustice and a confrontation of leaders who abuse their positions?
Word Search
Blessed [3107, Makarios]; There are many words for blessing in both Hebrew and Greek. The word that Matthew uses here is similar to; “A gift is given.” Another use might be; “The gift of inner peace, happiness.”
Offended [4624, Skandalizo]; It is fairly easy to guess what word we get from this Greek root. It was originally used for a trap stick – like the small metal rod on a rattrap that is tripped when the rat bites the bait. In its fullness the word means, to be scandalized, tripped up, or trapped.
Matthew 11:7-11
[7] And as these were going {away,} Jesus began to speak to the multitudes about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? [8] “But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft {clothing} Behold, those who wear soft {clothing} are in kings’ palaces. [9] “But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet. [10] “This is the one about whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ [11] “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen {anyone} greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (NAS)
What did you go out into the wilderness to look at?
Many of those who had followed John were now following Jesus. Jesus knew this and was aware that among them were those who sought to make a “political appearance.” There were also people who questioned John’s credibility – now that he had been arrested.
The Son of Man also knew there were those who didn’t feel John had moved “fast enough.” In other words, God had not sent his armies to battle on John’s behalf so John must not be God’s prophet. What they didn’t consider was how, like John, Israel had a habit of arresting, scorning and attempting to silence most of her prophets throughout the ages.
A hint of anger can be detected in Jesus’ questioning. “Did you think John was a wimp? Did you think he was soft? Did you think John was “just a prophet”? “John,” Jesus tells us, “was the Prophet’s Prophet; greater than all before him.”
Yet, as Jesus exalts John before the people, he tells them of something greater than the prophet himself; the coming Kingdom of God. Who we are now, is nothing compared to who God desires for us to become. This does not distract from John, rather it points toward the greatness of God. Would John be jealous of these words? That would be unthinkable! The greatness of John was his total desire to continually point towards the Messiah. He would be humbled, yet fully aware of his role in eternity.
Above all, John was like the signalman on the deck of an aircraft carrier; always pointing pilots toward the sky. He never wanted a single eye to focus on him. He wanted all eyes turned towards the Messiah. Look at this from the Gospel of John:
John 1:35-37
[35] Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, [36] and he looked upon Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”
[37] And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. (NAS)
See how primed the disciples of John were to follow Jesus? All John says is; “Behold, the Lamb of God!” He doesn’t even say, “Now, go follow him,” just, “there he is.”
That was all that his disciples needed. One look at the Savior and they were gone. Even John’s closest associates were not focused on him.
Can we say that we are that selfless; that our focus is so centered on Jesus that even our closest volunteers would leave at the moment they heard the call of Jesus? Are we creating disciples of Jesus or members of our own congregation?
Do we recognize that our role is to point people towards the fields? “Go and make disciples…” should be the sign above our church doors – and though pastors might often say that, what we usually mean is, “Stay and be members.”
What if we reshaped all of our relationships, the focus of our church so that our mission, finances, and people completely focused on being “laborers in the harvest?”
Word Search
More than a prophet [4554, Perissoteron]; to be proven a prophet (prophetes) was extraordinary by the standard of any age. Prophets had inspired (God-breathed) speech and were able to foretell (i.e. forward-tell), the course of God’s people. Yet, the word also was used for “staking a claim” – as when Jesus spoke about the man who spent his savings to buy a tract of land with treasure buried in it [Mt 13:34]. Literally, a prophet was someone who would “forward claim” the treasure of God in the lost people of his/her era.
However, adding “perissoteron” to “prophetes” would be similar to saying, “Super-Prophet.” “A prophet’s prophet.” John was the prophet that other prophets would admire, every fiber of his being was focused on justice and the salvation of God’s people. He had abandoned every comfort in his life so that he would be completely free of every encumbrance save one – the message of preparation; “Prepare the path, the Savior is near.”
Messenger [32, Aggelos]; we interpret this term as referring to angels, but it is also used of one who is “driving a herd” (as in a cattle drive). Sometimes it is translated as pastor – but only in the sense of someone who “leads” God’s sheep to their destination.
Prepare [2680, Kataskeuazo]; When one prepares a people, he builds them up, even ordains them for a purpose. One of the roots of this word, skeous, is used of a wife who makes her husband “look good in public.” It is also used of a sea-going vessel that carries an important dignitary.
This is what John did for the Messiah. He prepared the people, built up the name of Jesus, announced that his “ship was coming in,” and even baptized Jesus to begin his public ministry.
Essentially, John made the name of Jesus ring with Messianic fervor. Is that what I do? Am I making Jesus look good in public? Am I preceding “the dignitary” where he needs to go in my community?
About the Author
Jerry Goebel has worked with youth and young adults for over thirty years. Twenty of those years have been spent focusing primarily on reaching out to at-risk youth on the streets or in the juvenile court system. Jerry developed ONEFamily Outreach, which trains mentors to work with disconnected youth (incarcerated youth, youth in recovery, and youth who are expelled from school). Jerry travels extensively to teach adults how to become more effective in empowering young people to become a positive influence within their communities
He also leads retreats, mission weeks, and concerts for adults and young people on a variety of topics ranging from social justice and compassionate leadership to how communities, schools, and churches can prevent at-risk behavior.
Jerry has received five popular music awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, a Best Educational Video Award from the National Catholic Education Association, and a lifetime achievement award from the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry for living Gospel Values.
To contact or book Jerry for a presentation in your area write or call:
The New Testament Greek Lexicon based on Thayer’s and
Smith’s Bible Dictionary plus others; this is keyed to the large Kittel and the
“Theological Dictionary of the New Testament.” These files are public domain.
The Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon is Brown, Driver,
Briggs, Gesenius Lexicon; this is keyed to the “Theological Word Book of the Old
Testament.” These files are considered public domain.