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A Devotional for Advent: Matthew 11:2-11
At the end of the year businesses want to know their inventory. Why? They can reckon gain and loss, and the difference that has been made. How do we prepare for the Advent of the Messiah by taking inventory?
In this text the disciples of John want to identify whether Jesus is the Messiah, and they also need to prepare their hearts to receive this discernment.
Jesus began with an inventory of gospel transformation: the blind receive sight, the unable now walk, the lepers are cleansed, hearing replaces silence, new life is asserted in resurrection, and good news is proclaimed to the poor.
Are John’s disciples ready to receive Jesus as Messiah—are we ready to follow with an open heart? What transformation is occurring in and through your church? We give thanks for the ways our connectional church is making known Jesus in Ukraine, in storm recovery, credentialing new leaders, and equipping saints for ministry.
We live in joyful anticipation of the Savior’s birth, and knowledge that the child will threaten the empire’s ideology of status, power, and extraction. Jesus says, ‘I am sending my messenger.’ Who has been a messenger for you today? We know Jesus was not the Messiah anyone anticipated. Inventory your heart for what work of God is occurring there. Inventory your church. Watch, Siblings, each day holds messengers calling us to join what God is doing in the world.
Know that I am praying for you.
Peace,
Hee-Soo Jung, PhD
Bishop
Wisconsin Conference
Author
Hee-Soo Jung
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung has served as resident bishop of the Wisconsin Annual Conference since September of 2012. Prior to leading the Wisconsin Conference UMC, Bishop Jung served eight years as bishop of the Northern Illinois Conference (Chicago area).