Third Sunday of Advent
December 14, 2008
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126; I Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
for the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed.
2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,
and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
3 To all who mourn in Israel,
he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
It is hard to believe we are halfway through the Advent season already. For me this year, instead of being a season of waiting, it has been a season of busyness, almost too busy. Part of that involves my new job — it is a busy time of year at Salvation Army. My status on Facebook yesterday, was bikes, bikes, and more bikes. In the midst of the busyness, it gets hard to focus on why Jesus came to earth in the first place. That’s why this scripture in Isaiah is good for me this morning. You may or may not remember that Jesus read from this passage in Isaiah in the synagogue. After he sat down, Jesus told those gathered that they have now seen this prophecy fulfulled. This angered the ruling elite and they sent him packing.
Let’s unpack this verse for a little bit — why was Jesus sent? Jesus was sent to bring good news to the poor, comfort the brokenhearted, proclaim release for the captive, give hope for those who mourn. If we are following after Christ, then we need to do these things as well. That’s one of the reasons that I love my position at Salvation Army. In just a few days, we will be helping those who need help for Christmas by providing them gifts. Jesus said there are two commandments for us to follow. One, to love God with everything we have. Two, to love our neighbor as ourself. Taking care of them is part of that. It resonates with me that being a Christian is more than loving God.
That being said, there is more to being a Christian than just helping people. Paul helps us on this dual perspective:
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
This week we remain in waiting mode. Christ is coming — to change everything.
