Lectionary for Advent 2
The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. Isaiah 40:5
Collect. Almighty God, who sent your servant John the Baptist to prepare your people for the Messiah: inspire us, the ministers and stewards of your truth, to turn our disobedient hearts to you, that when the Christ shall come again to be our judge, we may stand with confidence before him; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and for ever. Amen.
Reading 2 Peter 3:8-15a. This second letter was written shortly before Peters execution in Rome. Around 64 A D there was a great fire in Rome. At least two thirds of the city was destroyed and looking for a scapegoat Emperor Nero blamed the growing Christian community. After the fire a vicious persecution of the Christians followed. As part of the ongoing persecution Peter who was a key leader was arrested and crucified. Due to the suffering and upheaval the believers began to question if maybe God had forgotten them. In our reading today Peter begins to address such questions.
For an eternal God time is of no consequence. We measure our lives in days and years, some of us in minutes and hours but for God time means nothing. Every part of scripture reminds us that no matter what we think or experience the faithfulness of God stands firm and God will always fulfil the promises that are made towards us. Peter says that God is not slow but is patient with us, giving us an opportunity to turn and rely more truly on him. Despite God’s patience there will come a time when everything we call solid and real will pass away and a new era, a new heavens and a new earth will be revealed. It is with that in mind that Peter asks the question: “given that a new beginning will emerge with the coming of the Lord Jesus how best can we prepare to be received by him?” Peter’s answer is clear we are to live in expectation, always ready to welcome Jesus when he appears. A part of being ready is keeping our lives and our relationships in line with what Jesus would want, we are after all his servants.
Prayer. Gracious God, great in mercy and love, we give you thanks for your faithfulness towards us. Through the powerful presence of your Spirit, keep us secure in that faith that you have given to us: keep us ever mindful of your eternal presence. Grant that with expectant hearts we may look forward with anticipation to your glorious appearing when heaven and earth will pass away and a new beginning will be fully present. To you Lord be all honour and glory, now and forever. Amen
Reading. Mark 1:1-8. Mark begins his gospel by emphasising that what is written is “good news’. This is news that his hearers will welcome for it is the fulfilment of God’s ancient promise to his people. This news is a prophetic message regarding John. His appearing is added recognition that Jesus is the promised Messiah and John has been chosen to announce him.. Mark recalls that John appears out of the wilderness: we remember that it was in the wilderness that Israel first received salvation. The clothing John wore was reminiscent of Elijah’s clothing, once more reinforcing that the promised Messiah was about to appear.
John came to prepare the way for the Messiah by calling the nation to repentance. He is often seen as a rather stern messenger. John, for example did not mince words if we read what Luke recorded of his address to those who came out to see and hear him. (Luke 3:7) However when we consider John the Baptist was the first valid voice of prophecy that the nation had heard for 400 years his appearing would have been thrilling. To know that an authentic prophet was once again proclaiming God’s message to them would have resulted in great excitement. The prophecy quoted from Isaiah was addressed to the captives, bringing the promise of future redemption and release. This was the very promise the nation was longing to see fulfilled.
John’s preparation of the coming Messiah signified that God was once more actively involved with his people. The covenant relationship which linked the people into a secure relationship with the power and majesty of God was still in place. This clearly signalled that God cared about them, they were not forgotten. With the presence of God once more refreshed in their thinking people eagerly grasped the repentance that John offered. The opportunity to repent was indeed, good news and people would have recognised the need to willingly accept that God was still active among them.
Like Jesus, John the Baptiser himself was not authorised from any official body yet he spoke with great clarity and authority. So much so that even the “official religious leaders” went out to hear him. His message left them unmoved, however the ordinary people welcomed the opportunity John’s message gave to reassess their lives. It is reassessing our personal relationship with God in the light of his majesty and grace that is the true meaning of repentance.
Perhaps even more excitingly was the promise that the one to come would have the authority to baptise with Holy Spirit. Through that baptism the powerful presence of God would fill their lives and bring with it a true forgiveness of sins. As Jews they knew full well that the sacrificial system only gave them temporary relief from the guilt that resulted from sin. Here was the promise of the one who would be able to prepare them for life in the righteous Kingdom of God. “ No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more” Jeremiah 31:34.
Prayer. Loving God, through John the Baptist you prepared the way so that people would recognise the coming of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Like the people in John’s time may we be ready to repent and believe this good news, and celebrate the coming of your kingdom. May we gladly forsake old ways, and be courageous enough to accept the new life made possible through Jesus Christ our Lord. Renew us in your love through the power of the Holy Spirit that we may worship and adore you as you deserve. Amen
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the lamb that was slain, worthy to receive power and wisdom and might, honour blessing and glory. By your resurrection from the dead you hallowed the first day of each week as a day for worship and praise for all your people. May we so die to sin and rise to new life that we may be worthy to offer up our prayers and praise on this new Lord’s Day, to the honour and glory of your name. Amen. (From the Diocese of Melanesia)
Collect. God our deliverer, your servant John cried out in the desert; help us to wait with patience for your salvation, and trust in the promise that you hear those who cry through Jesus our Lord. Amen.
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