Look Back, Look Around, Look Forward

“Do you believe that I can do this?” 

Matthew 9:28

Jesus asked the two blind men in Matthew 9:27-31, “Do you believe I can do this?" or in another version, “Do you trust that I am able to do this for you?” And they say to him, “Certainly, Lord.”

“Do you believe I can make you see, restore your sight?" And the two blind men answered, “Yes, Lord!" And he touched their eyes and they could see.

Do WE believe God can do the impossible in OUR life? Even when the odds are insurmountable, even when the doctor's report is bad, even if we can’t pay our rent, even if there’s another variant of COVID that could cause another lockdown, even if the hospital bill is enormous, even if we lose a loved one? So much misery and pain in the world today. I just heard in the news how a 15 year old brought a gun to Oxford High School and killed 4 students. He is now charged with terrorism and murder. His parents may be charged too. What are we to think of all these ugly tragedies in our world? How do we make sense of it?

What I know is all throughout the ages there has always been terrible suffering, and people who are “alert to do evil” as it says in Isaiah 29:20, our first reading for today. But we are not to be dismayed or distracted by all the work of tyrants and those who subvert justice. The message of Advent is one of hope. We need to look back at all the  ancient promises of God for a Saviour and how He fulfilled His promise on Calvary. 

We also need to be vigilant and look for His presence among us today. There is so much to be grateful for. He shows us His face in our brothers and sisters who love and support us, in our neighborhoods and communities, our workplaces, and schools. The more we give, the more we are given. That is the economy of God. 

But most of all, we need to look forward to the day when He will come again in glory. He will wipe every tear from our eye. Let us rejoice in Him who is preparing a rich banquet for all who believe in Him, and who obey Him. Why do we believe? Because He said it in His Word: “When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (John 14:3). Because He fulfilled His promises in the past, we know He will keep His promise for the future.