Third Sunday in Advent - Sermon text and Video of Divine Service
Third Sunday in Advent
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 7:18-35
From his imprisonment, John the Baptist sends two of his disciples to Jesus to ask a single question: Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another? For those of us who are familiar with the background story of John the Baptist and Jesus, we may find the question rather odd. They are related. Their respective mothers are cousins. After Mary became pregnant she went to stay with Elizabeth for a time. We are told in Luke’s Gospel that John leaped in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary arrived.
As adults John and Jesus knew each other. In the first chapter of the Gospel of John, John the Baptist points out Jesus to his own disciples and loudly declares, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.” John continued by describing the extraordinary events that happened when Jesus was baptized. John saw the Spirit descend upon him like a dove and he heard the Father’s voice declaring that Jesus is His son. But, that was before John’s incarceration because he publicly rebuked Herod for his behavior with his brother’s wife. So, now in Luke 7, time has passed. John has been in prison for a while. As his freedom is curtailed, he cannot see for himself what Jesus is doing and saying. He is surrounded by an unhappy, unpleasant, cruel, and malicious group of people who are guarded by Roman soldiers who would prefer to be back home with their families. In such a situation, a man’s mind can play tricks on him. Where there once was conviction and confession, a man can enter a period of doubt and confusion. So, the question, while disturbing that it comes from John, is perhaps understandable.
Unfortunately, we don’t need to be in prison for a mind to change, for convictions to soften, and doubts to flare up.
The prophet Zephaniah prophesied during the 7th century BC during King Josiah’s reign. Josiah inherited a spiritual and political mess. A civil rebellion had killed his father Amon. Amon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. He imitated his own father Manasseh’s behavior and decision-making during his 55 year reign. Manasseh encouraged idolatry. He promoted economic policies that did not benefit the country. Politics under Manasseh was not “the art of the possible.” Rather, it was heavy handed and self-centered. By the time Manasseh and Amon were done, Judah was in a moral, spiritual, economic, and political mess.
Josiah becomes king at 8 years old upon the death of his father Amon. Josiah brings about much needed reforms in all areas. The spiritual reforms he initiated include having the Bible read publicly for the first time in decades; the Passover celebration is reinstated; idols and their public places of worship were torn down. There was a big push to return the nation to the confession that there is one God, one God alone, the God that was revealed to Moses, led Israel out of slavery in Egypt, gave Moses the Law, and led them into the promised land.
Zephaniah was called by God to prophecy. The Spirit used him to convict people of their sinful thinking, urges and behavior. Even though following God’s Word always leads to a better, more joyful life, people insist on staying in the muck. They need to encouraged, persuaded, cajoled to turn from sin with repentant hearts and seek the Lord. There are blessings and rewards for returning to the Lord. Zephaniah proclaims those in today’s reading.
The Old Testament is filled with examples of political and spiritual leaders as well as regular folks that get their heads turned around, they forget the Lord and look for their salvation in other gods, and in their own self-pleasure and satisfaction.
It is indeed easy to get turned around. John the Baptist did not disbelieve, but he wondered as he languished in prison. He need assurance, confirmation, that he was not imaging who Jesus is and why he is here.
Are you the one?
In response, Jesus pointed to what he had been doing. The Christ is the Son of God. He has power over every spiritual, mental, and physical ailment and problem. He can even make a dead person alive again. Yes, Jesus is the Christ. He is the one to come. But, Jesus is not done yet. This is only a foretaste of what the magnitude of his action on the cross and in his resurrection three days later.
Today is the 3rd Sunday in Advent. Today is called by its Latin designation: Gaudete. In English it is Rejoice! We mark this day by lighting the pink candle. The pink candle alerts us visually that we are halfway through the season. This is a day of respite from the rigor of Advent disciplines such as fasting and prayer and other spiritual observances. This is a mini-sabbath within the season.
The texts for today reflect the emphasis of Gaudete Sunday. There are three chapters in Zephaniah. The first two and half are full of judgment. The displeasure of the Lord at the people’s sin and the coming Great Day of the LORD when punishment will be enacted upon the unrepentant is made plain. But, on this day, we receive the small portion of Zephaniah that is filled with good news: The Lord takes away the judgments, removes the enemies, and the Lord walks in the midst of His people. Zephaniah says, “Fear not… the Lord is in your midst,…He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love, and He will restore your fortunes.” A blessed peace awaits the faithful.
The Apostle Paul often writes letters that accuse, criticize, correction, and instruct. He calls sin out. But, in the letter to the Philippians, all of this is happily missing. Paul has powerful, encouraging, uplifting words to share in this letter. In the reading for today, we are encouraged to rejoice in the Lord, pray, and to give thanks.
We are halfway through Advent. We anticipate the coming of the Lord – at the end of history, but first in His coming in Bethlehem. We rejoice that Jesus is born for us. Jesus heals us. His healing of the sick and the raising of the dead is the build up to when he gives his life on the cross for the sake of the world so that the sins of the world may be forgiven.
The Holy Spirit has called us into faith through the Word of the Gospel so that we look upon the cross and believe. In so doing, we know that Jesus is born for us.
We rejoice that Christ came for us and that He is coming again. We rejoice that John prepared the way through his preaching and the baptism for the forgiveness of sin.
When asked, is Jesus the one to come? The answer is yes, he most certainly is. Jesus is the long expected, long-hoped for, Messiah. He comes for us all.
I conclude with words from Philippians: The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment