“For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 11:13-15)
When John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod, he realized that his ministry had reached its conclusion. He wanted his disciples and others to follow Jesus so he sent them to Him. He wanted them to see that the miracles Jesus was performing demonstrated that He was the promised Messiah, the one who John prepared them for. All scriptural signs pointed to Him as Messiah.
The mention of signs led Jesus to denounce the faithlessness of many of those who witnessed them. Many of the Jews, particularly the rich, the educated and the leadership rejected the signs because they did not accept the sign-givers, John, Jesus and His disciples. They were common people. They were not of the elite, the ruling religious parties, nor were they disciples of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus condemned them because the signs demonstrated the power of God and should have led them to faith and repentance.
Today many continue to reject the signs that proclaim Jesus as Messiah. They denigrate and malign the Word of God, considering it but the words and thoughts of primitive men who were unaware of the secrets of the universe that science has uncovered over the last centuries. They reject God Himself and His authority, and set themselves up as the supreme authority in the universe. No wonder the world is filled with violence and chaos: people are ignoring the signs. At this advent we are reminded that Jesus came into the world to save us all from sin, chaos and death. Jesus ardently desires to lead all men and women to faith in Him so they may share in His peace, comfort and joy