'And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed’ (Isaiah 40:5)

The Second Sunday of Advent, Dec. 8, 2002

Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85 or 85:7-13; 2 Pet. 3:8-15a, 18; Mark 1:1-8

While it is hard not to think of the opening numbers of Handel’s Messiah as we read the lesson from Isaiah today, the dominant theme for this Sunday is the preparation for the coming of Christ through the ministry of John the Baptist. This, of course, is wonderfully prefigured in Isaiah 40:9. The word gospel is in part derived from the Hebrew word, “good news.” Its immediate context is the good news to the Jews that their captivity would end. And it did, thanks to a “messiah,” Cyrus of Persia. This good news pales in comparison to what God has in store, not just for the people of Israel, but indeed for the whole world in the coming of Christ to deliver us from our sins.

Mark tells us not only that John the Baptist prepares the way for Christ, but also that this preparatory work for the gospel is to be seen throughout the Hebrew scriptures as well. The gospel is not de novo, but is anticipated in such events as the Exodus and the delivery of Israel from the hands of the Babylonians. The time for humanity’s deliverance has now come. John the Baptist is the last great prophet who points us to the new humanity, in the person of Jesus Christ. As Mark declares in his first verse, the gospel concerns Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The rest of the gospel will demonstrate in the life and teaching of Jesus that he is indeed the Son of God, the Messiah.

Psalm 85 also anticipates the coming of the Lord to deal with Israel’s sin — “Restore us again, O God of our salvation.” The psalmist recognizes that Israel’s chief problem is not just the surrounding countries, but chiefly the Lord’s “indignation” and “anger” which they have incurred because of their “iniquity.” The psalmist appeals to God’s repeated acts of mercy in the past, asking that he again “put away (his) indignation” (Psalm 85:4).

Just as the Jews wondered when God would act, so we also wonder when God will complete the salvation he accomplished in Christ on the cross. When will he finish the work of redemption? Why does he delay? Peter tells us, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).

While the Lord’s promise of deliverance is firm, will we be ready for him? Are we trusting him, and forsaking our own self-centeredness as we prepare for his return?

Look It Up

Look up Romans 4:18; 5:2, 4f; 8:20, 24f. and notice how often the work "hope" is linked with Christ's second coming. Notice too how the word salvation in Romans 5:9 also is pointing to the future.

Think About It

If you were a librarian in 30 A.D. and were given a "gospel," in what section of the library would you put it?

Next Sunday

The Third Sunday of Advent, Dec. 15, 2002

Isaiah 65:17-25; Psalm 126 or Canticle 3 or Canticle 15; 1 Thess. 5 (12-15)16-28; John 1:6-8, 19-28 or John 3:23-30