12-14-25             Matthew 11:2-11

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, those with a skin disease 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.”
  7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What, then, did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What, then, did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written,
 ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
  who will prepare your way before you.’
11 “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

May grace come to you by the mercy you share in hopefulness and joy as you wait in faith.

Jesus has the utmost respect for John as he reminded the people that this prophet had been anticipated in the writings as; “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord.’  He was the messenger that would precede Jesus. Jesus himself even claimed that among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist. It is hard to imagine getting a better recommendation. John, who had trained in the desert wilderness, prepared himself within the Essene community, those men being  strict adherents of the law, yet now, he was locked up. He had dared to confront Herod regarding his unethical marriage which had really ticked off Herodias, his new wife. Sealed off in Roman prison was the ultimate isolation; it was where one awaited trial or outright execution. Such incarceration entailed physical and psychological violence. Those prisons were dark, filthy, and crowded. Basic needs were not provided for, so unless you had people to support you, bringing food, clothes, and other essentials, you did without. It was through those friends that you would also receive any news from the outside world. We realize that John at least did have that kind of support because he had heard what Jesus was doing. Also, through his disciples, John was able to pass along his all-important question for Jesus that is highlighted here. “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 

The goal of the Roman powers, by the means of such imprisonment, was to evoke fear and shame. Those who were locked up were being reminded that Rome had control over the individual’s life and their death. Such incarceration reinforced the social hierarchy since imprisonment mostly impacted those in the lower social orders and non-citizens. Those who had wealth and influence would only have been placed under house arrest. It was also very intimidating and shame-inducing for the family and friends of the prisoner, to have to go into those despicable conditions and try to bring them care and provisions. John’s disciples would have no doubt been rudely treated and hassled. The due process of law or the rights of individual’s were not a concern for those who ruled. The peace for which the Pax Romanawanted to be known, was only applicable to the prosperous and ruling class. It was achieved by means of conquest resulting in the exploitation of the resources of conquered countries’ and peoples, most especially the poor. It is no wonder that John was led to question if Jesus was the one! He knew that his own time for getting out the message was now in jeopardy. The time in which we live is also seeing such fear and terrorizing tactics being utilized on segments of society. We too may be looking for Jesus to make known His power and word in these days of uncertainty and upheaval. 

Three years ago the Connection publication offered this story to illustrate the plight of what far too many are go through in our world. She has been pelted with stones in Greece, blessed by the pope at the Vatican, and danced with children from Paris to New York. Who was this focus of such attention: a 12-foot-tall puppet. 

The puppet’s name is Little Amal. Amal depicts a 10-year-old Syrian refugee. She’s the creation of the renowned Handspring Puppet Company. Handspring created Amal to highlight the plight of millions of displaced people, especially children, who have been forced to flee their homes because of violence and persecution.

Operated by four puppeteers, Little Amal began her walk across Europe in the summer of 2021, shortly after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan that spurred a migration crisis in Europe. Since then, Amal has traveled to Turkey, Greece, Rome and France, as well as meeting with Ukrainian refugees in Poland. The September of 2022, Amal spent 19 days touring New York, before going on to Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom. 

Amal has been seen by more than one million people in 85 cities in 12 countries and has covered almost 6,000 miles. Wherever Amal appeared, thousands of people, especially children, come to walk and dance and have their pictures taken with her. Amal has also raised thousands of dollars for food, shelter, medical services and educational opportunities for refugee children.

A few places did not let Amal into their community, protesting the presence of a “Muslim doll from Syria” (although Amal’s religion had never been specified). At a few of her appearances, people pelted Little Amal with eggs and fruit — and even stones. But for the most part, Amal was welcomed with song and gifts for the most vulnerable among us.  

Her presence has been an invitation to embrace the meaning her name — “Amal” is Arabic for hope.  (Connections, December 2022)

We like John are meant to find hope in Jesus’ response to him as He names the actions that he had been taking among the people. Tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease 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.” Those who are most vulnerable in the community, like John in prison, are recipients of the gospel through compassionate actions and community relationships. By caring for those most defenseless, oppressed, or ostracized we have a way to live out the gospel, just as Jesus showed us. He calls us to those same actions today.  It is by showing that concern for those in need and demoralized that we make known our faith that Jesus is indeed the one.  He is the one who came and He is the one who is coming. We can be among those who bring signs of hope and life into our world, in the name of Jesus. We can follow in the way of our Lord.