The Gospel for John

"Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me." Matthew 11: 2-6 (ESV)

Did Christ not say there was no one greater born of woman than John? Was it not John that was the forerunner of Christ, announcing the good news, and calling for repentance by the people? Was it not John who witnessed the Holy Spirit descend upon Christ like a dove? Did he not leap for joy in his mother's womb when Mary's announcement was made? Yet, in his darkest hour even John the Baptist needed to hear the Gospel. Christ offered it willingly. How beautiful those words must have been to John. How beautiful they are still to us today.

P.S. November 11, 2007 was designated as the international day of prayer for the persecuted church. For most of us, living in "modern times," it is difficult to imagine that someone would be persecuted for their religious beliefs. Nonetheless, the voices under the altar who cry out "how long" are growing stronger each day. May our ears not grow deaf to them.