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.’ Matthew 11:2-6

First let’s reflect on John’s question to Jesus by way of his disciples,

“Are you the one who is to come or are we to wait for another?”

That is an interesting question in light of the fact that in the last 35 years the United States has become the most religiously diverse nation in the world:

6 million Muslim Americans – as many Muslim Americans as there are Presbyterians & Episcopalians combined – 2 of the historically most influential Protestant denominations in the nation’s history. There will soon be about as many Muslim Americans as Jewish Americans.

4 million Buddhist Americans

About 1 million Hindus in US – about as many as the UCC or Disciples of Christ.

50 years ago in the US “religious diversity” meant Protestant, Catholic and Jew. (See Marcus Borg, The Heart of Christianity, pp.208-209).

I agree with Marcus Borg, “For those of us who are Christians, understanding other religions can enrich our own faith and help us to see our own tradition better.”

Back to the question:

“Are you the one who is to come or are we to wait for another?”

Maybe that is a question echoed in our lives today.

Is Jesus really the revelation of God?

Should we look elsewhere for the answer to the ultimate question of the meaning of life?

Even though I once was sure of my faith, I’m not so sure now.

My original understanding of Jesus has changed, what do I do about that?

My expectations of Jesus – God- are not being fulfilled, where do I go?

Is Jesus’ way of gentleness and non-violence really the way to live in a world filled with evil?

When we are honest with ourselves, we know that we are confronted by those questions….and many more.

It is important to remember that “the asking of questions does not close the door of faith.” (M. Eugene Boring)

When we ask questions of God, questions about faith, we are usually on a growing edge.

( Skateboarders T shirt – “Unless you are living on the edge, you are taking up too much room!)

When we study the Bible we will find ourselves asking questions about the Bible.

How do I interpret this passage? What did it mean in its historical context? What does it mean today? What is God’s word to me in this passage?

Continue to ask questions. Part of our mission statement affirms that this is a congregation that thinks broadly.  That is a wonderful statement!

Now, we are to go and tell what we are experiencing of Jesus. Our stories are so important to each other and to our spiritual growth.

What do we see God doing in our lives? In our church?

80% of all church growth comes through the invitation of a friend or family member…..relationships are so important in helping a church to grow numerically.

Jesus’ message is about a way of living on this earth, it is about a way of transformation that impacts the world we live in.

God has acted in human experience.

God is concerned about human suffering and those who are in need.

“Oh yeah….why doesn’t God do something about it?” we might ask, and the response comes, “Why don’t you do something about it.” God works in us and through us. Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Those who follow Jesus share in the call to follow Jesus in ministering to others.

Our message is spoken by the life we live.

When we follow Jesus we find growing within us a strong desire to make a meaningful difference in the world around us. (See S. McIntosh)

Gandhi: “We must become the change we want to see in others.”

We must become the change we want to see in our world.

There is a growing sense that the focus of the Jesus’ real message is not on how to escape this world and its problems by going to heaven after death, but rather the focus is on how God’s will can be done on earth, in history, during this life, by us…..(See Everything Must Change by Brian McLaren)

In closing, I’ve adapted some words of Ann Weems:

In each heart lies a Bethlehem, an inn where we must ultimately answer whether there is room or not.

When we are Bethlehem-bound we experience our own advent in his.

When we are Bethlehem –bound we can no longer look the other way,

Conveniently not seeing stars, nor hearing angel voices, nor hearing the voices of others….

We can no longer excuse ourselves by busily tending our sheep or our kingdoms.

This Advent let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that the Lord has made known to us.

In the midst of shopping sprees let’s ponder in our hearts the Gift of gifts.

Through the tinsel let’s look for the gold of the Christmas Star.

In the excitement and confusion, in the merry chaos, let’s listen for the brush of angels’ wings.

This Advent, let’s go to Bethlehem and find our kneeling places.

This Advent, let’s go and tell about Jesus.