About 10 years ago, we took our children to Disney World, and each evening we went back to see the evening spectacle, a light show with fireworks. It was an extraordinary sight!
In this passage, disciples of John the Baptist have come to check out Jesus. Is he truly the Promised One? Jesus sends them back to John but then questions the crowd twice about their expectations. Are they looking for someone dressed expensively? That isn’t going to happen! What they are going to see is even better than a prophet. The people would have known that the prophets typically were not much to look at for fine clothing, but they prophesied powerfully. So, Jesus, the one who is more than a prophet, is much more to be believed and trusted.
During Advent, we sometimes become more about the spectacle than about Jesus’ coming. Make no mistake, I love the spectacle of decorations, lights and feasts. However, we need to focus on the coming of Jesus, who came to live and die for us. He came humbly to a stable.
Lord of hope, thanks for the great spectacle of your Son, who came to earth to save us. Help us to focus on your life and lessons. Amen. —