“Touching Lives And Inspiring Hope!”

“Touching Lives And Inspiring Hope!”(Mt.11:1-6).
“When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?'” John of all people ought to have been the one to know the Christ.
It is important to note that the narrative says: “John heard…what Christ was doing…” It does not say he heard what Jesus was doing. If what John heard was about Christ, it means he was the one who was to come; there was no reason to expect someone else!
We cannot blame John for having his doubts. Charlatans took advantage of the tensed atmosphere of messianic expectation to prey on the gullible people who lived with such expectations.
We keep that aside to focus our attention on Jesus’ response to the disciples of John:
“Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor…”
The presence of Christ in any community ushers in the reign of God amongst them. What the earthly representatives of Christ do in his name – and which reflects his ideals – become testimony of his presence.
Christ represents freedom and liberation. He brings joy and fulfils the hopes of the destitutes, the outcasts, the rejected, and the oppressed. Christ does not add to the weight of the burden which the people are carrying. Rather, he takes the burden off those who are weary and heavy ladden. He gives them his load which is lighter.
The Very Rev. Nyansako-ni-Nku of blessed memory constantly reminded us that his mother told them that a tree does not make noise when it is growing up. I wouldn’t mind repeating myself to tell the story of the man who when asked by a researcher, “Are you a Christian?” replied, “Ask my neighbours up and down my street whether I’m a Christian or not.”
Dear friend, as a believer you do not have to bore people’s ears about your achievements. Let the people go and report what they hear and see. Besides, the big question about what we boast about is, “How does it help to liberate those who are marginalized, rejected, oppressed and ignored?” If it doesn’t bring joy, fulfils hope and satisfies the spiritual yearnings of a people, Christ is not the one who is the centre of it!
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, help us to fully represent you by touching lives and inspiring hope. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.