Christmas Plan

²Now while in prison, John heard about the works of Christ, and he sent word by his disciples,

³and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or are we to look for someone else?”

⁴Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see:

⁵those who are BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and those who limp walk, those with leprosy are cleansed and those who are deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the POOR HAVE THEGOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.

⁶And blessed isany person who does nottake offense at Me.”

⁷As these disciples of John were going away, Jesus began speaking to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

⁸But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’palaces!

⁹But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet.

¹⁰This is the one about whom itis written: ‘BEHOLD, I AM SENDING MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’

¹¹Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

¹²And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force.

¹³For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.

¹⁴And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah whowas to come.

¹⁵The one who has ears to hear,let him hear.

⁵Then the eyes of those who are blind will be opened, And the ears of those who are deaf will be unstopped.

¹The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD anointed me To bring good news to the humble; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim release to captives And freedom to prisoners;