Advent 3
12/11/2007
The readings for this third week in Advent are unified by
the expectation and fulfillment of dramatic, circumstance-altering,
physical transformations that God enacts and that continue to connect the birth
of Jesus to the Hebrew prophets. We are
preparing to witness the fulfillment of centuries upon centuries of expectation
born out of a culture whose faith in God is based on experience of covenant – promises made and
relationships restored by the turning of Israel toward God and God toward
Israel. The hope was for another
miraculous covenantal act…thunder on the mountains, plagues, or liberation. No one was looking for the for the physical
incarnation of God…God’s Son born of a woman.
In the previous week’s reading, John confidently announced
the coming of one who would baptize the repentant with fire and the Holy
Spirit. As time passed, and as the
scrutiny of Pharisees and of Herod intensified, early believers held their
breath. They watched and waited. Imagine their mix of emotions as there was no
massive political upheaval, no broad sweeping societal shifts. Can you feel the awkward silence? The building doubt?
In our 21st century world, as we await the birth
of Jesus, it seems odd to be reading about John the Baptist inquiring from
prison about the validity of this teacher he hoped would be the Messiah. The Matthew text this week foreshadows the
questions that inevitably rise in our own hearts as we await the birth of this
Son of God each year. John is desperate
for assurance that his teaching and sacrifices have not been in vain. He sends word…Jesus, are you really “the
One?”
In Isaiah, the prophet comforts a people in exile, recently defeated
by the Babylonians, accustomed by their history to cycles of success and
hardship, by casting a vision of a desert transformed not just with a stream or
river, but radically altered to be a swamp teeming with life. The lame will
walk and the speechless will sing with joy. These are dramatic and abundant reversals.. And in their longing, the
people also recognize that God has delivered them through miracles time and
time again.
In Psalm 146, the author praises God for creation and for
justice and for changing physical circumstances--feeding the hungry, freeing
the imprisoned, opening the eyes of the blind. These wonders have been experienced and are surely reminders of God’s
covenant with the descendants of Abraham.
The Luke passage is taken from the Magnificat, The Song of
Mary – Mary praises God for the honor of using her body for the birth of the
Son of Man. She references the strength
of God’s arm and acknowledges that he has fed the hungry, fulfilling real human
need. God’s actions through the ages
have been a cycle of returning to covenant relations with the people of
Israel. She remembers the kings that God
has brought down and the lowly that God has lifted to great heights.
The letter from James was probably written to the first
generation of Jewish Christians living outside of Palestine. These communities were not far from the
experience of Jesus’ teaching, crucifixion and resurrection. They were still expecting the imminent return
of their Messiah – still living in a covenant expectation. They were probably victims of great political
upheaval preceding the final destruction of the Temple. James encourages these early Christians to
have high expectations for altered circumstances. He reminds them that the rain does indeed
come in its season to nourish the crops. He draws them back to the tradition of the prophets, and through them to
the covenant that has been the underpinning of Jewish society, and encourages
them to be patient in their suffering.
Returning to Matthew, Jesus almost echoes the Psalmist in his
response to John “Go and tell John what
you hear and see: the blind receive
their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead
are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at
me.”
Tell him what you HEAR with your ears and what you SEE with
your eyes. This Jesus has altered the
physical circumstances of people time and time again. This is no philosophical Messiah…this is not
just about theoretical change. This is a
man who is physically altering those he touches, those with whom he prays,
those to whom he speaks. This is a man among the living with dirt on his feet
and the smell of real people on his hands.
Is this what John expected? Is this what the people of the covenant had waited for over the
centuries? Their experience historically was one of commandments, fidelity and
sanctions. Were they anxiously waiting
for a baby that would became a humble carpenter who taught us how to love, to
forgive and to be forgiven rather than becoming a superhero, a politician or a
king who took the world by force?
In the first week, we pondered our own expectations of how
the story will end. In the second week,
we considered whose voices might be revealing God’s work among us today. This week’s readings call us to look for the
tangible physical signs of God in our lives and in the lives of our whole
world; then we, along with John, must decide if we believe this is the Son of God. And
then, if we do, we must each what difference that might make in our lives and in
our community.
+Who is this Jesus, whose birth we await?
+What do I know about covenant? How does the history of covenant shape me as
a Christian?
+Do I really expect Jesus’ presence in my life to bring
about radical, physical, circumstance-altering change? If I do, do I share that expectation and
faith with those around me?
Oh come, thou Key of
David, come, and open wide our heavenly home. The captives from their prison free, and conquer death’s deep
misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall
come to thee, O Israel.
Matt and Laura, Thanks again for these engaging lectionary words. I have been working on them and will write some of my reflections when I have them in order. This has been very helpful and inspiring. Charlie
Posted by: Charlie Powell | 12/14/2007 at 11:45 AM
Great job, Matt and Laura! I am going to come to this site more often! Thank you --Mary-Boyd
Posted by: Mary-Boyd Boudreau | 12/16/2007 at 08:33 PM
Matt and Lauras' excellent lectionary writings have prompted me to study and reflect on these deeper meanings of advent.
I looked at covenant with new eyes. Gen 6:18, God says I will establish my covenant with you, it is an everlasting covenant. (Gen 9:16). My covenant I will not break. (ps 89:34)
Laura pointed out that Gods' covenant is God turning to us as well as our turning to God.
Then the final covenant that Jesus gave us, Matt 26:28. "This is the blood of the new covenant, an everlasting covenant. Heb 13:20, What a wonderful promise!
The Israelites were looking for a political leader to drive the Romans from their land. Jesus came to establish Gods' Kingdom on earth. This could only happen when Jesus died on the cross to be our sacrifice for sin. Jesus sacrifice would not need to be repeated as in the past as animals were sacrificed for a sin offering.
I believe the Kingdom of God came as Jesus died on the cross. At the last supper (Luke 22-14) Jesus said "I have eagerly desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the Kingdom of God." (Vs 20) "In the same way, after the supper he took the cup,. saying "This cup is the new covenant in my blood."
Another reason I believe the Kingdom came at Jesus death is from Luke 23:14. " And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, (46) Jesus called out with a loud voice, Father into your hands I commit my spirit."
The most holy place in the temple was where the high priest alone could enter once a year for the sins of the people. It was the Holy of Holies that the ark of the covenant, Gods' presence with it , rested.
The curtain that was torn was the one that closed off the most holy place from view. At Christs' death, the barrier between God and people was split in two. Now all people can approach God directly through Jesus. (Heb 9, 1-14 and 10-19-22)
I believe that God is present today in my life because Jesus said "If I go away I will send the Holy Spirit." The Holy spirit needs to be invited into our lives to empower us and to be Gods' representative in Gods' world. To live in this 'new Kingdom which is like the Heavenly Kingdom--God is dwelling with us now.
Does this change my life? Can I say today that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the good news is preached to the poor?
Who is this Jesus, whose birth we await? I trust Jesus has been born in me, but it only happens when I can say with Mary, "Let it be done to me as you say."
Do I really expect Jesus presence in my life to bring about radical physical, circumstance, altering change?
Yes, I do. However it is Gods' timing, not mine. I am too impatient and want things to change "now". Gods' will must play out in a larger mosaic that I cannot see. I believe, Lord, help my unbelief!
This is where I am today. I would enjoy hearing from you ,your beliefs and feedback on my views. Charlie
Posted by: Charlie Powell | 12/16/2007 at 09:39 PM