Advent Week 2

Psalm: Luke 1:68-79
Old Testament: Malachi 3:1-4 or Baruch 5:1-9 
Gospel: Luke 3:1-6
Epistle: Philippians 1:3-11

Today begins week two of Advent. The second week of Advent can focus on things such as love, John the Baptist, or even Bethlehem, depending on how the season is arranged for that year in each church. But I really think the Scriptures lend themselves this week to the idea of preparation. Last week, we looked at the idea of hope and waiting on what the Lord will do when he returns and inaugurates his Kingdom. But his followers are not supposed to just hangout on the sidelines and not engage the world. Jesus left us with tasks to do. We don't bring the Kingdom, only God can do that, but we do bear witness to it, and through the help of the Spirit, we can in some sense "prepare the way of the Lord."


The idea of preparation is not foreign to us. We make preparations for all sorts of things on a daily basis and on a grander scale we make preparations for holidays, vacations, and when company is coming over. Countries and cities also make preparations when dignitaries are visiting or to mark a major celebration. When the President visits a town, or like when the Pope visited the USA this summer, months of preparation are needed to ensure that not only things are safe but also that things are perfect with only the best side presented. Both elements, the personal and the corporate, are present in the Scripture readings today.

Both Luke passages today concern John the Baptist and his primary message, much like Jesus', was "repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand." (Matt. 3:2, Mark 1:4) Each hearer of John's message was encouraged to individually examine their own lives, reflect on their sin and what needed to change and then repent and turn towards God so that they would be ready for the coming Kingdom. John played an important role in preparing the people's hearts and minds for Jesus' message. He even had the astonishing task of baptizing the Messiah. It's a bit crass to say, but John was kind of like the opening act of concert or comedy routine, warming up the crowd. His task was to prepare the people for the main event so when Jesus came, his thoughts and ideas were in the air already.

But John didn't just speak a message of individual repentance to the crowd. He also confronted the political and religious rulers of the day. He was calling for individuals to change, but he was also hoping that that repentance could bring about change on a national level. Israel and its leaders during John's time were corrupt; he called them a "brood of vipers (Matt. 3:7)." We also know that John was ultimately put to death because he confronted Herod's incestuous relationship with "his brother's wife (Matt. 14:3)." I think John was hoping for a better response to his message than what he received. He probably didn't set out to be executed. But in a foreshadowing of Jesus' ministry, it is the common people who respond positively to John's message much more than those in power. Even still, John was faithful in his message of preparation for the Messiah. When Jesus came, he was able build on the work of John the Baptist and call to people to follow him.

What does all of this have to say to us today? How are we supposed to prepare the way for God?! That task seems impossible and something that God wouldn't need our help with. Part of the answer is that, for what ever reason, God in his wisdom and love has decided that he is going to work to fulfill his purposes and goals through human agency. He has decided that rather than forcing things and regimenting all of existence, he will invite creation to participate in his Kingdom project. God invites us to join his work. He invites us to an effective prayer life that might actually change the course of events, depending on our response to pray or not. It is a crazy thought, but God actually and truly accomplishes his plans through us. Of course, we can't get proud and think we are doing it all our own; this is the great temptation. But God, in Christ, and through the presence of the Holy Spirit, enables us to engage in the holy task of Kingdom building and preparing the way of the Lord in individual people's lives and on the broader scale of whole cities and countries.

One of the ways we participate in the Kingdom of God is by simply witnessing to and proclaiming its presence here and now.  As the Christmas carol says, "Go tell it on the mountain..." We have to proclaim the Good News to the world around us. Probably not many of you have read Pastor Steve Rodeheaver's book, Snapshots of the Kingdom: Glimpses of Heaven on Earth, but I really like the title of the book. (Full disclosure: I haven't read it either.) That is what Advent is about, and really what the Christian life is all about--God's Kingdom breaking in through everyday encounters and sharing the Good News of great joy.  The Kingdom is breaking in all around and our job is to recognize where it is happening to participate when God leads us to do so and to spread the Good News about it. God is still working even in the midst of all the brokenness we see around us! God wants to partner with us to bring his Kingdom and to prepare the way for his Second Coming. Let us be found being about this task God has set before us.

Grace and Peace.