Advent 3, Year A - Matthew 11: 2-11

"Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

I wonder if John the Baptist (who was languishing in prison) sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah?” because he was perplexed why, if Jesus really was the Messiah, Jesus’ best friends were in prison! If Jesus is going to bring deliverance and mighty deeds of power, why doesn’t Jesus do that for his best friends like John the Baptist?

I once knew someone whose business was failing. This man was in church every Sunday. He is was and still is an exemplary Christian. I feel fairly certain that he prayed, “Please Lord, help my business to survive.” Next door to his failing business was a business that was thriving. I was told that the thriving business was owned by a man who was put in jail a few years ago because of his crooked ways. He has probably never set foot in a church, had been unable to stay married, and was, all things considered, a real degenerate. Curious. Faithfulness does not procure favor with God and how things shake out in our world. We can't control God. God confounds our expectations.

“Jesus, if you are the Messiah, if you have come to bring us the Kingdom of God, then why don’t you do it? Are you the Messiah, or should we wait for somebody else?”

Are we offended that there is a power loose in the world greater than us and our efforts? Are we offended that this power may not always work the way that you think it ought to?

No, you must not be too offended because if you were you wouldn’t be reading a reflection about the Third Sunday of Advent. But you are. You are expectant, eager for Jesus to begin his signs and wonders among us. By your engaging the 3rd Sunday of Advent you are preparing to meet the Christ, even if he might confound you at times. We are a people willing to let him surprise us, delight us with his work. You are not offended. Bless you in loving Jesus rather than taking offense at his wonder-working ways.

As we prepare during this third week of Advent let us not take offence even as we are challenged and confronted by this God we can’t control. In letting go of control…. Jesus blesses you.

Advent is about learning to embrace the unexpected work of God’s Incarnation among us in the birth of Jesus. In embracing the uncontrollable God in the unexpected you are blessed. “Blessed is the person who doesn’t take offense because of me.” On the 3rd Sunday of Advent - Jesus blesses you.