December 14, 2025

Matthew 11: 2 - 11

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 offense at me.” 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.”

Sermon

There’s a scene in the movie Talladega Nights, where Ricky Bobby gathers around the table with his sons, his wife, his best friend, and his father-in-law. I’m going to give a disclaimer before I go any further: this is the only scene I’ve ever seen of this highly inappropriate Will Farrell movie. This is not an endorsement of this movie.

Back to Ricky Bobby’s prayer: He offers grace, beginning with “Dear Lord Baby Jesus…” and among other things asks Baby Jesus to use his “baby Jesus healing power” to heal his father-in-law’s leg. He continues the prayer, “Dear tiny, infant Jesus..” at which point his wife interrupts him to remind him that Jesus did grow up and it was odd to pray to a baby. Ricky Bobby responds that he likes the Christmas Baby Jesus best and he is the one saying grace, so it’s “dear tiny Jesus with your golden fleece diapers and your tiny little fat fists balled up…” Father in law interrupts to remind him Jesus was a man with a beard. Others say they like a Jesus ready to party, a ninja, or with giant wings singing lead in a rock band. Ricky Bobby doubles down, “ Dear 8-pound, 6-ounce newborn infant Jesus, don’t even know a word yet, just a little infant so cuddly, but still omnipotent…” ending with “Thank you for your power and grace dear baby God.”

Like Ricky Bobby, John the Baptist has an image of Jesus he likes: the Jesus who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire. Who comes to cut down unfruitful trees and toss them in the fire. Who stands with eyes blazing, a winnowing fork in his hands to separate the wheat from the chaff. John the Baptist’s Jesus brings judgement, banishes evil from the land, overthrows the oppressive rulers.

Jesus begins his ministry after John is imprisoned. He starts with the same words John started his own ministry with: Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near. So far so good. But the reports John is getting about Jesus’ ministry are nothing like what John expects. Where’s the fire, where’s the judgement? Why aren’t Herod and the powerful getting the boot?

John has questions. Was Jesus really the one prophesied, the Messiah? Did God really call me to prepare the way? This is not what I expected!

It’s so easy when you are in a tough spot, facing trouble to have doubts or questions. The first thing I want you to take from this passage is that it’s ok to doubt, to question. If John – who Jesus proclaims the greatest of those born of women – has doubts and questions, then it’s perfectly ok for you to as well.

The second thing I want you to notice is that John doesn’t suffer alone with his doubts and questions.  He tells his friends (disciples). He confides in his community. And his community helps him find the answer to his questions. That’s what we are here for – to bolster each other on our journey of faith. Those who are in a time of strung faith uphold those who are in a time of doubts and questions.

Let’s get to the meat of this passage:

John’s identity is tied up in Jesus’ identity. John is Elijah come again to prepare the way for the Messiah. If Jesus is not the one to come, what does that mean for John? Has he been mistaken?

Jesus responds to John’s question by asking him to think about what he’s seen and heard, about what those disciples he sent to Jesus saw and heard. Jesus reminds them of the things he has done the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised. Anyone listening would remember Isaiah’s prophecy of the coming day of the Lord.

Jesus doesn’t give John’s disciples a straight answer. He offers evidence for them to consider. John has to answer his question for himself. As part of weighing the evidence, John will have to let go of his image of Messiah in order to recognize Emmanuel, God-with-us is walking the roads of Judea, bringing the kingdom of heaven near.

Like John, our identity is tied up in Jesus’ identity. We also have been called to point to Jesus. We do this by showing, and telling, those places and times in our lives where Jesus shows up. And by recognizing and pointing out those places and times where God shows up in our families, our friends, our community, and the world around us. It’s like John’s disciples going back to John to testify to what Jesus has done.

Like Ricky Bobby and John the Baptist, we all have a favorite image of we think Jesus is. The thing is Jesus doesn’t fit neatly into our preconceived notions. When you ask Jesus who he is, prepare to be surprised. No one expected God to appear as a helpless infant. No one expected Messiah to be an itinerant preacher and healer, proclaiming grace and forgiveness, demonstrating that in the kingdom of God, the least and vulnerable are healed and cared for, all are welcome, all are loved. No one expected the cross.

It’s ok to ask with John, “Are you the one to come?” Jesus’ answer is the same to us as it was to John: Look around you, where have you seen God’s kingdom in action? Where have you seen Jesus working in your life? What are the moments where you knew this was holy space, a God-thing, Christ was carrying you?

Jesus comes to in unexpected ways, in the most unlikely of people and often at the time we least expect to find him there.

Lord, give us eyes to see those places where Jesus shows up and let us rejoice in those glimpses of your reign.