God’s kingdom will come (Advent 1) led by God’s chosen one (Advent 2). The readings of Advent 3 give us a glimpse of what that day will be like and challenge our motivations.
Isaiah paints a glorious picture: “The desert shall rejoice and blossom (vs. 1); the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf unstopped” (5). It is a vision full of hope for a people who lived a difficult life from day to day. We may face trials and tribulations in the present, but our God is leading us to a brighter future.
John the Baptist, now in prison, sends a message via his disciples to Jesus: “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Matt. 11:3). In both Matthew and Luke, Jesus responds with an extensive quote from Isaiah 35.
For some early Christians the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy seemed to be just around the corner. So the Letter of James advises, “Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord” (5:7).
If one can move beyond a literal interpretation of the text in Isaiah and Matthew, what are the spiritual characteristics of God’s emerging kingdom? Clearly healing is one (the blind can see, the deaf hear, the lame walk), a theme reinforced by Psalm 146:8: “the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.” Another is adding something not now present (waters in the wilderness, streams in the desert).
But perhaps the most important sign that God’s kingdom is coming will be perceived in the way believers change. “The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; . . . sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35:10). “Happy is he whose help is the God of Jacob” (Psalm 146:5). “The poor have good news preached to them” (Matt. 11:5).
As so often happens, Jesus takes things a step further. He challenges the crowd: “What did you go out into the wilderness to behold?” (Matt. 11:7). In fact, the question is asked three times (vs. 8 and 9). Since bold and italic type were not available in those days, this is scripture’s way of telling us that this question is really important: “Why then did you go out?”
Our motivations and expectations will affect what we see and hear. Episcopalians are more apt to go to church on Sunday mornings to experience God than out to the wilderness. Wherever one goes, Jesus’ question follows us: Why did you go?
The Third Sunday of Advent (Year A), Dec. 16, 2007
BCP: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146 or 146:4-9; James 5:7-10; Matt. 11:2-11
RCL: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:4-9 or Canticle 3 or 15; James 5:7-10; Matt. 11:2-11
Look It Up
Aside from Isaiah 35, a description of the works of the predicted Messiah also will be found in Isaiah 29:18-19 and 61:1.
Think About It
If your own blindness and deafness were to be healed, what would you be able to see and hear?
Next Sunday
The Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year A), Dec. 23, 2007
BCP: Isaiah 7:10-17; Psalm24 or 24:1-7; Rom. 1:1-7; Matt. 1:18-25
RCL: Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18; Rom. 1:1-7; Matt. 1:18-25
