Lectionary for Advent 2 a

Lectionary for Advent 2

A voice cries out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ Matthew 3:3

Collect. Gracious Father,by whose tender compassion the light of Christ has dawned upon us: open our hearts, so that, joyfully receiving Christ, we may declare his glory to the ends of the earth. He lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Reading. Isaiah. 11:1-10. Isaiah is recounting the destructive power of the Lord but now as we commence chapter 11 comes a reassuring message of hope. A new shoot from David’s line brings the promise of a new kingdom. David’s kingdom had seen the whole of Israel united under one leader however after Solomon’s reign the tribes had divided until even the ruling tribe of Judah was under a foreign king. Thus Isaiah is describing a future kingdom in which God’s sovereignty will be finally established.

This kingdom will be significantly different from the one now being experienced. This kingdom will be one led by one who is in harmony with God’s Spirit. This new leadership will result in a kingdom which forms a just and equitable society. This society will emerge because its leader will not judge by the circumstances at the time but will judge by obeying the whole council of God. Through this leadership no one will be disadvantaged, all will be equally supported and cared for.

The picture that Isaiah’s vision paints is of a radically different society; one where even natural enemies will live in peace and harmony. It is a picture of a whole world changed irrevocably. These words of promise and prophecy have been read so often that it is easy to simply accept the phrases like the lion and the lamb will lie down together without realising what a profound change this description would envisage.

Isaiah adds to the difference by announcing that this new branch from David’s line will stand out like a beacon announcing once and for all that a new era has arrived. In this kingdom every nation on the earth will gather in unity and peace. In this kingdom it is not only the animals that will live in peace, all of humanity will be as one under the godly rule of this emerging leader. 

Prayer. Holy Lord we thank you for the promise from long ago that a leader would emerge who would lead a new community of faith and hope; a society in which all could live in harmony and peace. We thank you that we see that society forming around Jesus the Lord and Saviour of human kind. Grant by your Spirit that we may faithfully trust and obey his call and live in love and harmony as he has commanded. May our obedience recognise the victory that he has won for us on the cross, conquering sin and death. Help us in all things to acknowledge his way and so bring honour and glory to you, Lord God Almighty. Amen

Reading. Matthew 3:1-12. Matthew describes the ministry of John the Baptist as linked with the prophetic message of Isaiah, a message that announced the coming of the Christ and as such John stands as the last of the Old Testament prophets. Each of the prophets in turn looked forward to the time when God would intervene on behalf of his people by raising up a leader who like David would lead the people. Now John is announcing that the time has arrived and people need to get ready for the one who is to lead them. From the description that Matthew gives us, John signals the ending of the old covenant and the beginning of the new covenant that Jeremiah foretold. (Jeremiah 30). Perhaps it was this new beginning that made the religious leaders in Jerusalem question Jesus’ ministry from the start.

The message that John brings may sound harsh to our ears yet we need to remember that the prophetic voice from God has been silent for about 300 years. With that in mind John’s message reminded the people that God was still faithful and was indeed providing the fulfilment of his promise from long ago. Woven into the tradition of the old covenant was the promise that a new and godly leader would emerge to lead the people victoriously back to God.

John’s call  to baptism and his message was so authentic that immediately the question was, “Are you the One?” John asserts that not only is he not the One but he, John is unworthy even to perform the most menial of tasks for the One who is coming.

The baptism that John conducts seems to be quite new and unique; not connected either the the lustrations of the Jews, and also different from the coming baptisms performed as induction into the Christian faith. Nevertheless in the desert John gathered people together and this water of baptism judged them, purified them, and above all gave them hope in the promises of God.

John’s baptism prepares people for the coming of the Christ, making them ready for salvation but the New Testament is clear, only Jesus Christ who was baptised in the Spirit could grant that salvation. By submitting to the baptism of John, Jesus joins himself in solidarity with fallen humanity and with that link is able to take the whole of fallen humanity with him to the cross.

As we consider the story of John the Baptist it is important to recognise how interwoven their ministries are; John links the old and the new covenants together; prepares God’s people for the coming of Messiah and announces in dramatic fashion the saving ministry of Jesus. John greatly devalued himself as our passage shows but Jesus said of John, that he was the greatest among men. (Luke 7:28)

Prayer. Heavenly Father, as we read the announcement of John the Baptist, may we like John’s hearers prepare ourselves to recognise the true coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Grant that our hearts will be open to receive all that Jesus has done on our behalf. May we never be ashamed to draw our strength from him and live out our lives in humble obedience,loving and caring as he commanded. May we live each day in the hope that his salvation brings, and by trusting in all that Jesus has done live lives at peace with you and with each other. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Collect. Merciful God, you have welcomed us in the overwhelming waters of baptism. Cleanse and renew us, that we may be led to new life by the Spirit of Jesus; for we pray in Christ’s name. Amen.