Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

Matthew 11:2-11
New Living Translation (NLT)
2 John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the
things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to
ask Jesus, 3 “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting,
or should we keep looking for someone else?”
4 Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you
have heard and seen— 5 the blind see, the lame walk, the
lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life,
and the Good News is being preached to the poor. 6 And
tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because
of me.
7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking
about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into
the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by
every breath of wind? 8 Or were you expecting to see a man
dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive
clothes live in palaces. 9 Were you looking for a prophet?
Yes, and he is more than a prophet. 10 John is the man to
whom the Scriptures refer when they say,
‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
    and he will prepare your way before you
11 “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is
greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in
the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!

Reflection:

Special effects are much more spectacular than ever before.
Combine the special effects of the twenty-first century with
surround sound, and we have movies that our parents and
grandparents could have never imagined. We now have 3D
movies with sound effects that are off the charts. Many
people are so captivated by this new technology that they
are getting it for their homes, creating home theaters that
give them a comparable experience without leaving their
driveways.

What we see and hear are important. Jesus knew that the
ultimate visual effect was physical and spiritual healing. The
testimony of a life transformed by God was better than any
technology. Not even the best action flick could compare to
a life touched by God. It was not only the words but the
deeds that followed Jesus that had the ultimate affect. It
was the combination of signs and wonders that followed our
Savior and his disciples that drew others to ask questions
that would lead to transformation. What are people seen and
hearing in your life? Does your life testify that Christ lives in you?

Prayer:

Lord, what do people see and hear from my journey? Empower
me to draw people closer to you. Amen

(Covenant Home Alter, author Gricel Medina)