Advent Devotional • December 15

Sunday, December 15
Journal
Matthew 11:2-11

Messengers from John the Baptist
When John heard in prison what the
Messiah was doing, he sent word by
his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you
the one who is to come, or are we to
wait for another?’ Jesus answered them,
‘Go and tell John what you hear and
see: the blind receive their sight, the
lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the
deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the
poor have good news brought to
them. And blessed is anyone who takes
no offence at me.’

Jesus Praises John the Baptist
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?
What then did you go out to see?
Someone dressed in soft robes? Look,
those who wear soft robes are in royal
palaces. What then did you go out to
see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more
than a prophet. 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.” 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.

Journal Prompt:

On December 8th we journaled about John the Baptist’s proclamation of the coming of Jesus. Today we witness an interaction between Jesus and the messengers of John the Baptist, and then Jesus addresses the crowd about John. Compare the two readings, what through-lines can you draw? How does the first reading help you understand the reading today. What questions are left? The theme of this section is “Waiting for Joy.” Do you draw any connections with this text and the theme? Why or why not?

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You can download a PDF of the devotional here.

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