ADVENT COMMENT
Last week’s Advent theme was Hope. Next week is Joy, and the last week is Peace. This second week of advent carries the theme of Love. We will see this love at work, especially in the second reading.
- Hope
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
ISAIAH 11:1-10
THE BACKGROUND
Long ago, God made a promise to His people that the Davidic line of kings would continue forever. (2 Samuel 7:16) During Isaiah’s time, the kingdom of Judah was being seriously threatened by Assyria. Judah’s defeat would have meant the end of the Davidic line. Today’s passage offers God’s people hope and reassurance in a time of uncertainty.
THE DETAIL
- The prophet uses the image of a shoot of new growth coming out of the stump of an old tree that had been cut down. The old tree is named Jesse, which is a reference to King David’s father. A new branch issues forth, signifying new life for the Davidic line. (v. 1)
- What follows is a long list of this new king’s virtues, the main virtue being his righteousness. (vv. 2-5)
- An era of peace is proclaimed. So peaceful is this time that the natural order is even changed to eliminate threats from bloodthirsty or poisonous creatures. (vv. 6-9)
- The prophecy is summarized is verse 10. This chosen one of God (a messiah) will be so glorious that other nations will be drawn to him.
THE TAKEAWAY
So, who was this promised messiah? The answer depends on when you were born. This prophecy was relayed to God’s people about 750 years before Jesus’ time. It probably meant something else to the people to whom God first intended it.
To the people of Isaiah’s time, hopes were pinned on the new king Hezekiah being God’s chosen one. Hezekiah was indeed a holy and righteous man. In many ways, he embodied this prophecy. But he was also a warrior king. Verses 6-9 didn’t fit into his job description.
A hundred and twenty years later, Judah was defeated by the Babylonians. It was feared (and justifiably so) that the chances of returning to Judah and a David-like king were not very likely. But these words from Isaiah provided comfort and promise for a new day.
Christians have long read this passage using their “Jesus Glasses This passage describes our Messiah beautifully. Messiah Jesus was the embodiment of righteousness. He lived as a perfect example of righteous living, while he walked this earth. When he comes again, he will bring peace.
ROMANS 15:4-13
THE BACKGROUND
Last week, I mentioned that the young Christian church in Rome consisted of a mix between Jewish and Gentile Christians. It goes without saying that there was tension in this mix of cultures. In today’s passage, Paul gently offers some suggestions for relieving this tension.
THE DETAIL
- Since the Christian Jews were well-versed in the Old Testament, this first verse was probably aimed at them. He reminds them that all of scripture was written for their instruction. (Now, he has their attention!) (v. 4)
- He then borrows a couple of good words from that first sentence (steadfastness and encouragement), and builds upon it. He prays that God will grant them to live in harmony, and in glorify God in one voice. Yep. He wants them to get along together. (vv. 5-6)
- Sometimes, when translating a word from one language to another there is no exact equivalent. In this instance, the word that appears as “welcome” can also mean “accept”. I think the best thing to do here is to fuse them together, and use a combined meaning: to welcomingly-accept someone. To warmly, and whole-heartedly accept the others. Paul instructs these diverse people to warmly and wholeheartedly accept and love one another, just as Christ “welcomingly-accepted” them. (v. 7)
- He goes on to remind them how Jesus did this—by being obedient to the Father’s wishes for him to be His servant [by dying on the cross for everyone]. (vv. 8-9a)
- He backs up these statements with some Old Testament quotes which clearly show the Jewish Christians that God has always intended for the Gentiles (“the nations”) to also receive His grace. The references are Psalm 18:49, Deuteronomy 32:43a, Psalm 117:1, and today’s first lesson Isaiah 11:10.
- Paul concludes with a blessing that they will be filled with the hope and joy that comes in believing in Jesus. But wait! There’s more! May they also abound in the Holy Spirit. (v. 13)
THE TAKEAWAY
Paul’s words to this church are just as poignant for us today. How often do we seek out those Christians who are most like us, ignoring those who are different? Paul reminds us that Jesus died for everybody. He loves everybody. We, too, need to love everybody, no matter how different they may be, accept them as-is, and warmly welcome them as our brothers and sisters.
MATTHEW 3:1-12
THE BACKGROUND
Matthew got his gospel story off to a good start in chapters one and two, showing Jesus’ ancestral connection to Abraham and David. Then, he jumped right into the Immaculate Conception, and birth of Jesus. Suddenly, in chapter three, he hits the pause button. The scene jumps to Jesus’ cousin John the Baptist, who has a special assignment.
THE DETAIL
- John’s message is simple, but vital. He is preparing people for the coming of the Messiah. He is the one that Isaiah spoke of (Is. 40:3), who would prepare the way of the Lord. (vv. 1-3)
- The description of John makes us stop and think. The reference to the leather belt might have been to draw a parallel to Elijah (2 Kings 1:8). I guess they didn’t wear leather belts back in the day. Also, John’s diet isn’t all too appealing. But living on locusts and wild honey might indicate that he was totally dependent on the Lord for food, just like Israel was during the Exodus. (v. 4)
- He must have done something right, because many were coming to him to confess and to repent. Perfect activities to engage in, when you know that the Messiah is on his way. (vv. 5-6)
- When the religious elite appear, John does not hold back. He urges them to confess and repent, or suffer the consequences. (vv. 7-10)
- John states that he is only a messenger. A forerunner. The one who follows is the one to worry about. (vv. 11-12)
THE TAKEAWAY
John’s message is before us today. Jesus is coming, and we are not whole. We need to prepare a place for him in our hearts. It is time for us to reflect on all the ways that we have fallen short of God’s expectations. We can do better. How will you prepare your heart for Jesus’ arrival?