Third Week of Advent (Begins Sunday December 11)

​DAY 1 (3rd week)
PREPARE TO LISTEN (in a quiet and least distracting place).
Light a candle and pray: O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling.  (Psalm 43:3)
Request for Presence: You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay!  (Psalm 70:5b)
READ Matthew 11:2-6
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.”
REFLECTIVE WORDS
Before prison, John was very confident in identifying Jesus as the Messiah of God.  In the confinement of prison, doubts crept in.  He wondered: Did he identify the right person as Messiah?  He sent his disciples to ask Jesus for assurance.  Jesus neither affirmed nor denied being Messiah.  And neither did he rebuke John for his present doubts.  Instead he invited the disciples of John to go back and tell the stories of all that he has done—a list of 6 different things, all of which the prophet Isaiah (Is 35) said Messiah would do.  He then included a word of encouragement: “blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
REFLECTIVE WONDERING
When I worked in children’s ministry years ago, the material I was required to use contained a story of a child who confessed to God his sin of doubt.  I struggled with that story.  Doubt isn’t a sin.  Jesus’ followers often experience doubts.  They often creep in uninvited and unexpected.  Be assured that Jesus won’t rebuke you and be thankful.  Name your doubts and stay alert today to what Jesus is doing and be assured.
RESPOND TO JESUS IN PRAYER.  
Like John, I too need to ask again for assurance, Lord Jesus.  Keep me alert today to your different works in and around me so that I can be confident again.  Amen.
BE SILENT AND STILL (for as long as you want).  Simply be in the presence of Jesus, who loves you, regardless.