Right before your eyes

John the Baptist is in prison. It’s not going to end well, and he knows it. And so he sends his disciples to Jesus - to ask the question that’s on everyone’s lips. “Are you the one?”

As a prophet, I’m not sure he expected an answer to his question - prophecy usually takes a long view of things - looks beyond current events - but being in prison (with a death sentence looming)- he’s got nothing to lose by asking.

The problem for God’s people down the years is that the prophecies never seemed to end - the predictions of renewal and rejoicing that come when times are toughest always seem a distant thing. Prophets are more likely to be remembered for their narration of ‘the time just before the end…’

We heard some of that from John B last week - shouting down the religious authorities - predicting a great reckoning, with fire and all. Even Jesus takes his turn, talking about signs in the heavens and the crumbling of the temple walls. Prophets have conditioned us to imagine that trauma must be a sign of impending good - but don’t worry, the good will be hard to find…

But not today.

Today, we are given a different perspective - thanks to Jesus. Today, in the midst of a pretty horrible time for John’s friends (and the nation too) Jesus tells them to look closer.  If it’s signs of the salvation of God they want, they should maybe just open their eyes.

I wonder if that is our Christmas lesson…the signs of the ‘end of all things’ (a favourite theme of prophets…) and the signs of the beginning of God’s new thing are always in sight - right before our eyes.

The story of the first Christmas is like that - good news delivered to the shepherds did not change the economic realities of their lives.  A baby born in poverty, in a makeshift delivery room, did not instantly change the fortunes of the holy family - or of the village that welcomed him, or the community that raised him.

 

The grinding hard work that was necessary to survive under Roman occupation was just as miserable, and just as discouraging the days, weeks and years after Jesus’ birth. Yet our Christmas celebrations continue to point to hope - offer joy - resonate with good cheer. Is our faith about endless optimism, or is there something else at work?

John’s disciples ask Jesus if he’s the one - they want to know if the waiting is over, and the kingdom has come - Jesus says ‘trust your eyes - what do you see?

We have been conditioned to see only the bad stuff - the grim signs and reminders of a world gone to ruin - (thank the prophets and the end of time Christians for that) Jesus stand in the midst of a ruined world and points to the wonder - the joy - the healing - the recovery - the victory of the little things over the big things.

Christmas can do that for us. People still suffer - and we sing songs of joy. The ‘grim reminders’ are as close as the nightly news, but look closely and you will see what Jesus sees - you can see what God is doing. Neighbour helping neighbour - laughter drawn out of sadness - tidings of joy for ALL people –

Jesus isn’t asking us to be joyful in SPITE of the problems that challenge us – his is not a call to false optimism. Jesus invites us to see the good among the bad; the wonderful in the midst of the ordinary. He calls us to look around - to really see – because God is already at work. The good news of great joy is in our midst. All we need to do is open our eyes.