Sunday, December 16, 2018

Meditations - Lessons and Carols - Advent 3



Rejoicing at the First Promise
Genesis 3:1-7, 14-15

The serpent. He overcame by a tree. He took his captives into his tyranny and held them for ransom. His misery loves company, and the path is wide. Not just Adam and Eve, but all people fell in that bitter day. Even before they were born, the nations were doomed to come forth in sin, under death's dark shadow.
In exile, soon from the Garden, but already from harmony with God, sin's wages of death would come due. It seemed the serpent had won the day. It seemed he crushed his foes.

Enter Emmanuel. God was with them, even in the garden. Even after they turned away from his word, turned away from his love, he came – he walked in the cool of the day and called out for them. He already had a plan. He already had a promise.

Serpent, you will bite the dust. Serpent, your head will be crushed. Because the seed of the woman is coming. Emmanuel is coming. And he will overcome you by a tree. He will close the path to misery. He will disperse the gloomy clouds of night. He will give victory over the grave. He will dry the bitter tears of Eden and and give Israel reason to rejoice, rejoice, for now stands open wide our heavenly home.


Rejoicing on the Day of the Lord
Zephaniah 3:14-20

If the prophets spoke doom and gloom, Zephaniah was a prophet's prophet. His message: you're looking for the Day of the Lord, are you? Well think again. Because that day is a day of wrath. Distress. Anguish. Devastation. Darkness. Gloom. Blood like dust, flesh like dung. Not a pretty picture. The earth is consumed.

These are words of judgment for sin. These are the wages we deserve. And for those who reject the promise and its fulfillment, the judgment is all that stands. A bleak future.

But in Christ, these words take a different turn. He absorbs the judgment. He endures the wrath. So that all that God would pour out, is instead poured upon Christ. Sin still gets punished, but in him. Justice is served, but he bears the brunt. He is forsaken, stricken and smitten. He is condemned and dies. This is the cross.

And so, when that day, the great day of the Lord comes to us who are in Christ, it holds no more fear. In Christ, the sting is gone, the poison is expunged, night becomes day and even death is turned to life. And so the fear is turned to rejoicing. When you see him coming, lift up your heads, for your salvation has arrived. And rejoice!


Rejoicing in the Good News
Luke 7:18-28

The fever pitch of messianic expectations reached its crescendo in the voice of the one crying in the wilderness. But even that voice quavered when doubts crept in. “Are you the one, or should we expect another?” Even the one who confessed Christ in utero, who boldly proclaimed him the Lamb of God, even John, now rotting in Herod's prison, seemed to need reassurance. So he sends his disciples.

And Christ confirms it. Look at the signs, fellas. Tell John what you see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them.

Good news! Cause for rejoicing! Even if you sit in a prison cell. Even in the prison of your sins. Even if you face certain death. For the dead are raised up. Even if all you can see or hear is the bad news, there's a thrilling voice that says otherwise: Christ is near! The Lamb, so long expected, comes with pardon. Rejoice.


Rejoicing Always
Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice, always. It bears repeating. Rejoice. Just as the promise of Eden, the foretelling of the prophets, the voice of the Baptist and even Christ himself proclaimed. The Lord is at hand. You have reason to rejoice, always. Not just when the times are good. No, even, especially when the days are evil. Rejoice.

Let your reasonableness, or gentleness be made known to all. Don't just keep all this to yourself, mind you, you've got a story to tell and a reason for rejoicing. And that reason is Christ. A real person who really died and really rose and gives a real promise that you will follow. So even past death, you have a future with him.

Don't be anxious. Be at peace. Let your requests be made known, for we have a God who answers such requests. And don't forget the thanksgiving. But above all, rejoice, for your salvation is secure in Jesus Christ. He will guard and keep the peace – that passes understanding.


Rejoicing at the End
Revelation 22:6-21

The bible ends with this chapter - Revelation 22. And the final words are words of Advent. Christ is coming. He who came to Bethlehem as a babe will come again in glory, to judge the living and the dead. For the wicked, it is a day to dread. For the blessed, it is a day of hope and joy.

These words are trustworthy and true. The warnings and promises of John's Revelation, as well as the warnings and promises of all divine revelation – they all agree. They all demand our attention, our adherence, even our faith.

And they show us Jesus. Not an angel. No mere messenger. Jesus. The Alpha and Omega, the First and Last, the Beginning and End. The root and descendant of David, and the bright Morning Star. Jesus is surely coming, and coming soon.

The church prays in response, “Amen! Come quickly!” We pray for that day. We look to that day with hope and not dread. We know it will be a day of rejoicing. And so we rejoice even today. Alleluia! Amen.





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