The readings for the Third Sunday of Advent emphasize the prophetic message and the hope for deliverance. The first lesson from the Old Testament is in Isaiah 35:1-10. The imagery of this passage looks toward deliverance. Nature will be renewed and at peace, even among the beasts. Human beings will be strengthened and redeemed.
Psalm 146 emphasizes that one should trust in God, not in human leaders. God is the only true hope for all in the midst of earthly trials.
The reading from the New Testament is from the letter of James. The theme of James 5:7-11 is contained in the opening verse- "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord" (ESV). As Christians, we live between the times, between Christ's great work of redemption and its final triumph with His coming again. As we anticipate this, we live in patience and hope.
The Gospel from Matthew 11:2-15 shows John the Baptist in prison He sends two of his followers to Jesus, and they ask if Jesus is the expected Messiah. We are not told why John asks. Perhaps he needed personal reassurance, and he probably also wanted his disciples to encounter Jesus. In any case, Jesus replies with a two-fold proclamation. First, He points to the redemptive acts taking place in His own ministry. Secondly, He points to the purpose and value of the prophetic work of John the Baptist. Then, our Lord concludes with an exhortation to His hearers to hear, that is, to be sensitive and perceptive to events. May we also be sensitive and perceptive to God's redemptive work!
No comments:
Post a Comment