The Second Sunday after the Epiphany, Jan. 16, 2005

BCP: Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-10; 1 Cor. 1:1-9; John 1:29-41;

RCL: Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-12; 1 Cor. 1:1-9; John 1:29-42

The prophet Isaiah continues his wonderful vision in which the chosen and anointed Servant of God will restore the displaced nation of Israel to its former glory. Through the prophet, the Lord promises to raise up the Servant “as a light to the nations, that [his] salvation may reach to the end of the earth” (49:6b). His dominion shall extend far beyond that of ancient Israel; it shall include the whole earth. “Kings shall see and stand up,” it is promised, “... and they shall prostrate themselves, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen [him]” (49:7b).

Today’s gospel shows John the baptizer, the Savior’s chosen herald, bearing witness to the coming of the Chosen One into the world. “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him,” John insists. “I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God,” he concludes with absolute conviction (John 1:32-35).

We who have been baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection anxiously await the Lord’s universal rule when he comes again in triumph and in great glory. Indeed, our constant Advent prayer is that, when the Chosen One decisively establishes the kingdom, “we may, without shame or fear, rejoice to behold his appearing” (BCP, p. 378).

We sell our faith short, however, when we focus exclusively on good things to come at the expense of rejoicing in inbreakings of Christ’s rule here and now. Paul reminds us that, even as we await the kingdom in its fullness, we have already “been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind — just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among [us]” (1 Cor. 1:5-6). Neither, he tells us, are we “lacking in any spiritual gift as [we] wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1:7).

The rule of Christ, foretold by the prophet and announced by John, is even now taking root in our midst. As we look toward its coming in its fullness, may we cultivate its seeds planted among us here and now.

Look It Up

What are some major differences between the fundamentalist dogma of the “rapture” and biblical teaching regarding the coming of the kingdom in its fullness? (1 John 3:1-2; Rev. 21:2-7)

Think About It

What are some of the ways in which the kingdom might be growing in our midst today?

Next Sunday

Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Jan. 23, 2005

BCP: Amos 3:1-8; Psalm 139:1-17 or 139:1-11; 1 Cor. 1:10-17; Matt. 4:12-23;

RCL: Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 5-13; 1 Cor. 1:10-18; Matt. 4:12-23.