Second Sunday in Advent
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Normally when I prepare to preach I translate one or more of these passages from their original language. Because my greek and hebrew is not what it once was I often utilize helps.
This week, I listened to a podcast from one of my professors trying to translate Luke chapter 3 and I have to say, he was clearly not prepared. The first words in this podcast are his voice, clearly not aware that the microphone is on and he says “pentekaidekato”, what the heck is that? five? fifteen? someone got an English bible here?”
Did I mention that he went to Cambridge?
I guess what I am getting at here is that those who seem to be the most qualified may, at times, be the least prepared.
The prophet Malachi, whose name literally means, God’s Messenger, was sent to prophecy in Jerusalem to Israel.
The oracle of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.
This would be akin to one of us going to St. Louis and picketing our Synodical Headquarters. For those of you who are unaware, our church body is headquartered in St. Louis, specifically Kirkwood MO. The building has this kind of odd purple ish facia to it so it’s been unofficially dubbed the ‘purple palace’.
It’s fitting though right? Purple is a color of repentance… shouldn’t the church lead the way in repentance?
Is that how you would describe us or Israel? Repentant? I’d consider us repentant about some things but in other areas of my life I think the more accurate descriptor word is ‘obstinate’.
Israel was the same way. These people had all the goods. They lived at the heart of worship, they could make daily trips to the temple, the very best scholars and priests were around them. Their entire world should have been ordered around the life of God but instead they are busy with other things...
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.
At first glance these laws seem to be about common social ills of their time, many of which still play out today. If we look more closely though- the problem is deeper. What ails the people of Malachi and even John the Baptist is an issue of loves. Their love, our love was divided.
Sorcerers were banned in all sorts of A.N.E. laws including the code of Hammurabi. Why? Because sorcery was to rely on created goods rather than the creator. Sorcery is still alive today- there four shops in Spokane that sell Wiccan supplies.
Adultery fundamentally skews the message of monotheism. We are monotheists we believe in One God so we are monogamous people. What did God do in His self love?
Genesis 1:26 (ESV)
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion...
When people come together in love they create a new being- monogamy creates life. Adultery skews this purpose. Yes you may get away with it but it does not accomplish what we are made for. Adultery invites other people into this creative power and confuses it.
False witness, lying, again tells a story that is contrary to who our God is. Our God is true. If He remains true that means that we must accurately relay what has happened in the History of His people. Even the hard stuff.
You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.
Loving our God does not require things to be going our way. And a Loving God does not require everything to be hunky dory.
There’s a video floating around on the internet where a judge sees a man come into her courtroom for an arraignment and she recognizes him from middle school. She, the judge goes on to say how kind he was to her and how fondly she remembers him. Then, she says ‘I’m sorry to see you in here’ and he starts weeping in his orange jumpsuit.
These passages call for us to see our God as capable of disciplining us even in the most severe, yet righteous, ways. We are incredibly uncomfortable with this sovereign act. In His reflection upon Genesis 6 and God promising to flood the earth during Noah’s time Dr. Martin Luther says this:
Luther’s Works, Volume 2 17. For Behold, I, I Will Bring a Flood of Waters upon the Earth, to Destroy All Flesh in Which is the Breath of Life from under Heaven; Everything that is on the Earth Shall Die.
Accordingly, this sentence serves to indicate the vastness of God’s wrath, through which men lose not only their bodies and their lives but even their universal dominion throughout the world.
That last part - the dominion of mankind is lost. Friends the most terrifying and reassuring aspect of our faith is that we are not in charge. If we were in charge we would easily oppress others, sleep around, do whatever we want.
What would our world look like if men were truly in charge?
Our world is currently grappling with what it means to have virtue and values without a God. Friends you have been given such a wonderful gift. You have been endowed with the knowledge of the truth and it is readily available.
A few summers ago Natalie and I were on a walk through campus when a car pulled up alongside us - on a walkway. The window rolled down and a nice young couple asked us where the campus was. We were astonished, ‘uhh, you’re there’. Then they asked where the gated entrance to campus was… ‘it’s an open campus you’re on it. It’s free to visit.’
The things that seem obvious to us are confusing to others. God’s Word is freely available to you. It is here and reliably translated into your native tongue. You have generations of saints to help you interpret it and the body of Christ across history to help you soften your heart. You have been given the keys to the kingdom of God.
Many are struggling to find their way in the world, asking why pain exists, how does this end and how should I live to most benefit my neighbor and myself. You have these answers. More than that you have the forgiveness of sins. You have God Himself and the knowledge that when He meets you He comes with the possibility of wrath but chooses grace.
A God without the possibility of danger and fire is no God at all. Further, a God without wrath is a God without Justice. Our world is crying out for Justice these last days. Without the arrival of a perfect Judge in our God the very best we can do is vindication and the worst we can do is oppression.
John the Baptist cried out to the people dwelling in Jerusalem to get ready, to be prepared because God was coming. He quoted Isaiah 52:10
The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
I appreciate this image - the image of God’s holy arm. The arm of God is capable of great calamity- It is also capable of recovering us and keeping us from harm.
Do you remember in the book of Numbers when Moses is taking Israel out of Egypt and they are utterly unprepared for it? The people are grumbling for meat and God says - Moses tell them tomorrow they will have meat. So much meat it’ll be coming out of their Nostrils. Moses is confused because he has no meat. Do you remember God’s response?
And the Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.”
The most full revelation of God is His plan and ability to save you.
Church here is what we are sure of:
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Israel was the most qualified group in all the world and yet many of them were utterly unprepared for Jesus. Friends, be ready- God is coming in love, righteousness, and grace. Jesus has prepared a place for you. The love of Jesus is ready for you.
How will you prepare yourself? How can I help you be ready? God’s Love is coming again. Amen.