“The Answer”
Questions – expectations – they fill our lives. People dating for a while are often wondering if this might be the one. On a larger stage we’ve just come through some significant elections this past year. People questioned and wondered. They had expectations. Some are still wondering and questioning. And though we live north of the 49th parallel we can’t escape the fact that our neighbours to the south are doing a lot of questioning themselves these days. Can these candidates be serious? Which one has any hope of getting elected? Sadly, thanks to the media coverage, we’ll be enduring their questioning for the next tenth months, and even after when they wonder if the next president will meet anyone’s expectations.
Back in the day – in the life and times of Jesus the people were in expectation and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ. Luke doesn’t tell us exactly what all their expectations were about or exactly what they thought the Messiah would do. No doubt some were looking for a Saviour in the sense of salvation and deliverance from sin and death. No doubt some were caught up in the bistro - coffee house chatter about the state of political affairs in Judea and the despised Roman occupation. Did their expectations have a more political undertone? Were they looking for a charismatic leader who would stand up to Rome like the Maccabees had done some two hundred years before?
In response to the people’s questioning John pointed them in a different direction. He pointed them to Jesus. Today in our world, in our country, in our city people are questioning, even longing for many things though perhaps not always clearly articulating them or even being aware of the inner quest that drives them. The answer to their greatest question, and ours, is Jesus. He is the ultimate answer to the often unexpressed longing humanity feels deep within its very soul. He’s the final answer – no need to ask the audience or call a friend. He is the great and good news for in Him we live. Take time today to appreciate He is the one people have been looking for since Adam and Eve and He is your Saviour and brother.
We’ve just survived Christmas as some would describe the experience. Sadly the longed for sense of peace, love, and joy so often wished in cards and greetings seems to have quickly evaporated, if indeed it ever materialized. Winter’s dark and cold reality is settling in. Bills are arriving as the novelty of recent gifts quickly wears off while a deeper, disquieting inner sense of longing for many remains – an emptiness not filled by Christmas or New Year’s excesses.
Globally nations still struggle under a variety of governments and leaders – both good and bad. North Korea claims to have set off a nuclear device. The Toronto Stock Exchange has experienced seven consecutive days of losses. Fighting continues around the world. Violence – random and calculated - still happens even in our own neighborhoods. Barely a week old Edmonton’s New Year has already seen two homicides. People are shocked it could happen so close to home. Some relationships continue to hurt and labor to survive. Families struggle with the life changing realities of serious illness. Tears of grief flow over recent losses and continue over those of the past.
Questions, expectations, longings – rise from our most basic human needs colouring each day of our lives. Eager to capitalize on our desire to feel satisfied with life the world steps forward with its own solutions – offering us answers that appeal to our need to feel wanted, appreciated, loved and valued – to feel at peace and not be anxious. Answers are put out every day in commercials, in magazine and newspaper ads. Their appeal varies depending on age or gender, our place in life – even the time of year.
One popular solution at this time of year is to join a gym. Best of all – you won’t have to pay for three months. The special offers can be quite enticing - promising us a trim, athletic body, just like the folks in the promos. In a few short weeks you’ll feel young again, so they say. In reality after a few painful hours on treadmill or rower you may discover you’re even older than you thought as you wipe away your expectations on a sweaty towel.
Other voices promise healing and renewal will come with a proper diet, a devoted use of mega vitamins, a super cleanse of kale, prune nectar, and natural bran smoothies. You’ll discover the new you. Good luck with that. Maybe the offered answer is a tropical vacation. Just get away to some lush tropical place and lounge on the beach or by the pool. Of course there’s a down side – one that never gets mentioned in the travel brochure. You’ll have to fly back to Edmonton where there’ll be precious little lounging on the beach. Or maybe the answer’s in self-help – self-actualization – in meditation and hot yoga. All you need to do is realize your inner potential. There you’ll find peace.
Sadly too often – no matter what we may try in order to experience some inner sense of well-being – of things being somehow all right with self and the world – all we find is disappointment. Our expectations far exceeded any results. Much as the crowds were likely surprised that John was not the answer - in spite of his charismatic nature, we too might find that in spite of all kinds of complex personal, family or financial issues, the real answer is actually far simpler than the world would ever lead us to believe. Better than any offer of no money down or no payment for three months – the real answer is free.
I’m sure many of you have heard the story of the Sunday School teacher who asked her class, “What climbs trees, runs along roof tops, and gathers nuts?” Little Johnny turned to his best buddy Fred and said, “I don’t know Fred. It sure sounds like a squirrel to me, but the answer’s got to be Jesus.” Well yes, the Answer is Jesus - plain and simple. That’s what John told questioning crowds who came to see him – filled with their own expectations. John was not the one. He wasn’t even worthy enough to assume the role of a slave and untie his master’s sandals.
The answer does seem so simple – too simple the world says. You need to make a difference. You need to do it yourself. Actually in our day to day lives that’s a pretty discouraging suggestion because all too often our consciences reminds us of how many times we‘ve failed when we’ve tried to do just that. We long to hear God say of us, “You are my beloved child. I am well pleased with you.” But your conscience says He couldn’t possibly be pleased with you. You’ve failed Him so often – broken your promises repeatedly – even when you’ve sat in church and vowed to do better next time. Satan gladly echoes such thoughts reminding us of our guilt – of how we’ve resented others, been jealous of their lives, of how we’ve spoken cruel words about others behind their backs. He reminds us that we’re not so generous when it comes to forgiving others yet we dare to pray, “Forgive us our trespasses.” Surely we can’t expect God to forgive us again?
Against all that, in fact in spite of all that, the answer to our longing – our desire for peace remains in Jesus. He’s washed us in the waters of Baptism – something we cannot do for ourselves, baptized us with the purifying fire of the Holy Spirit. By His perfect life, innocent suffering and death, and the power of His glorious resurrection – God has claimed us as His children – called us by name. In Jesus, He is well pleased with us.
In Jesus, John saw the one who was to come – the one who’d bring salvation to all the people – to both Jew and gentile alike. For his efforts John was shut down because he’d dared to confront sin and bear witness to the good news. Did he expect to be imprisoned? We simply don’t know. But we shouldn’t be surprised when at times we too may experience rejection. We may be excluded from conversations, dismissed by some we’d counted as friends but that doesn’t change our calling like John to live and share the good news – to be one whom people come to looking for the answer – not because we are perfect rather because they sense there’s something different about how we live and face life. Nor does it change the truth that by God’s redemption in Jesus we are His children – dearly loved, and true heirs of His glory.
As for questions and expectations – they’ll still come – whether simple like longing for a time of peace and quiet away from cranky children, hopped up on sugar and short on sleep, or greater things like healing and forgiveness. As long as we look for the answer within ourselves we’ll continually be disappointed. The answer is not in us - just as it was not in John. The answer’s in Jesus – in the experience of His love, in trusting His promises and appreciating that in Him, no matter what the day or week may hold for us or those we love, He is with us offering us purpose, strength, and peace for He is the answer. Amen.