Readings:
Sermon:
As we focus on the reading of Advent 3 do you, or have you, ever felt unequal to do a task you have been asked to do?
I know I have.
If we find ourselves resonating with the feeling of inadequacy, I suggest that today’s readings can give us hope.
The opening verses of Isaiah 35 speak of the desert being transformed and dry bulbs bursting forth in flower.
In Matthew - Jesus speaks of the calling of John the Baptist – the task he was called to – the task of preparing the way for the chosen one of God, the Messiah.
How amazing is that? How would anyone feel about seeking to live out such a calling?
We hear of how John felt in Mark’s Gospel with John saying,
“…After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie..Mark 1.7
During Advent John the Baptist gets two bites of the cherry. He is used as an exemplar of what it is to be prophet. That amazing gift of speaking God’s truth to the world.
In today’s reading from Matthew Jesus speaks of what John did. A humble man, a prophet. But, as we return to look at John, Jesus speaks of him as “more than a prophet,” - he is the messenger who had prepared the way for Jesus.
What an amazing task to be called to. And it is one we, as the Church of God remain called to be: part of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, worshipping the one true God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. professing the faith uniquely revealed in the Holy Scriptures and set forth in the catholic creeds, which faith the Church is called upon to proclaim afresh in each generation. (from the ordinal)
We remain called to prepare the way for the second coming of Jesus.
There is great honour in preparing the way. In our inadequacies we may not see that. We may want to be to one who reaps but many of us, will be, or are indeed, the ones who sow the seed, or even the ones who move the rocks in preparation for sowing. Others, will come after to gather the harvest.
Preparing the way can feel hard. But Jesus concludes by praising John, what greater honour can there be. On top of this, God speaks through Isaiah words to encourage us.
Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way…Be strong, do not fear. Isaiah 35.3-4.
For many of us, this will resonate, not just in terms of capability but also us have the energy to do the work God has for us. Be that practical, be that in exercising our spiritual gifts or in being prayer warriors. Recalling that:
For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6.12
Yes, this can all feel overwhelming, but we have the promise of God. We don’t do this on our own. God is with us and we walk in this task together as the Church.
If we return our attention to Isaiah 35, we together are called to seek to follow the way of Christ, the Way of Holiness by doing this we can focus on the promise. That we will enter Zion singing: everlasting joy crowning our heads.
Sorrow and sighing will flee away overtaken by Gladness and Joy!
Moreover, on the way there are signs of life and growth.
Water will gush forth n the wilderness, the eyes of the blind will be opened…
Many us will have seen the time-lapse videos of a what happens when there is rain in a barren desert, when emptiness bursts forth into life! In this time of year can we be aware of the leafless trees? In spring life will come again and what is currently barren will be verdant.
Advent, here in the Northern Hemisphere, is an ideal time to reflect on being those who await the spring. Being the ones who prepare the way for a time when the best possible harvest comes!
It is a time of seeking to focus not only on celebrating the arrival of Jesus with us that first time but also to focus on that time of all things being reconciled in Christ. To focus on the coming of the Kingdom of God in all its fulness –-the Ultimate Summer and the Ultimate Harvest.
Questions:
- Have there been times when you have felt unequal to the task you’ve been called to? How did that feel?
- Have you experienced times of God providing for you, or your church, in such times?
- What do you, or your church, need now to be faithful in being a place which is preparing the way for the coming Kingdom of God?