Psalms 27:1-3; Matthew 4:12-23   John the Baptist’s job was to prepare people for the day of the Lord. Well, when Jesus hears that John has been arrested, he leaves Nazareth and begins his ministry. In doing so he fulfills Isaiah 9 which prophesizes his new location of Zebulun and Naphtali. Most important, it tells how the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. It says in the Matthew passage, light has dawned to those living in the shadow of death. This great light is Jesus Christ who starts his ministry by shouting, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” We then have a calling of his first disciples, four fishermen. A ray of hope appears to the people when Jesus proclaims the good news of the kingdom and cures and heals those with diseases and sickness. The Psalmist in Psalm 27 recognizes the Lord Jehovah as their light and their salvation. The Lord is their stronghold – so who do they need to be afraid of? In the darkness of evil doers assail...

Psalm 40:1-11; I Corinthians 1: 1-9   Psalms 40 begins with the psalmist claim of salvation in the past painting hope for the future. God is seen as deliverer here, hearing the psalmist cry and pulling him out of the pit. It’s described as a miry bog – a place where one is troubled with no possible way out. The more they tried the more they got tangled up in the muddy mire. Insecurity certainly comes with being stuck in the mire. But the Lord puts his feet on solid rock – his steps are now secure. What a change the Lord has brought. He has gone from crying to singing a new song of praise to God. He now talks about God’s help, God’s faithfulness, and salvation. His cry now is for God not to withhold his mercy and to keep him secure and safe by God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. In I Corinthians, Paul gives thanks for the Corinthians because of the grace God has given them, for how they have been enriched in Him. The Him is Jesus Christ who brought salvation and the power t...

  Psalms 29, Matthew 3:13-17 This Sunday was the Baptism of the Lord Sunday where we celebrate the baptism of Jesus. We seem to associate baptism with spiritually cleansing one from an old sinful life into a life of newness of spirit. But why did the perfect Jesus wish John to baptize him? Even John the Baptist protests saying Christ should baptize him. The baptism of Jesus, however, marks the start of his ministry. He is anointed with the power of the Holy Spirit and the voice of God is heard claiming him as God’s son who he loves and is well pleased with – translated in the Greek as one who he approves. This voice from heaven gives credence to Jesus as the Messiah the chosen one. Psalms 29 describes the voice of the Lord. Lord in the Hebrew is used for Jehovah, their name for God. God’s voice here is over the waters like it was over Christ’s baptism waters. God’s glory thunders. This powerfulness of God’s voice is expressed in many ways. It breaks the strong cedars of Leban...

  Isaiah 63:7-9; Hebrews 2:10-18   Isaiah 63 declares it was no messenger or angel that saved God’s children but he, himself, the presence of Christ that redeemed them – that lifted them up. But how could Christ be present? We just celebrated the birth of Jesus who became flesh. Hebrews 2 tells us we are like his brothers and sisters. He shared our flesh and blood so that through his death he could free us from sin and bring salvation. In this way he became a merciful and faithful high priest by making a sacrifice of himself to atone for the sins of the people. He is said to be the pioneer – the first of salvation made perfect through his sufferings. Angels are brought up again in Hebrews but not as possible saviors but to contrast those God helped. It was not angels, but us who have become the brothers and sisters of Christ. Verse 18 brings out a wonderful benefit to us of Christ’s incarnation – of Christ’s human life. Because he was tested, he is able to help his bro...

  John 1:1-14, Hebrews 1:1-12 The book of John doesn’t begin with the nativity story. It goes back to the beginning of all time as we know it saying the Word was in the beginning – the Word being Christ who not only was with God but was God. Strong words, forgive the pun, telling of the Trinity. It continues telling how all creation came through him. The Word spoke and it was done. He brought life into being and to this life a light for all people. This light shone in the darkness and was not overcome by it. Our Hebrews’ passage has other words describing Christ. He is the heir of all things, a reflection of God’s glory – the exact imprint of God’s very being. Christ is said to be the sustainer of all things by his powerful word. How appropriate to name him the Word in John1. He says it and it happens: creation and sustaining all things. Hebrews tells of how when Christ made purification for sin – his work on the cross – he sat down at the right hand of God. Another title for...

  Isaiah 9: 6-7; Luke 2: 8-14   The fourth candle in advent is the Peace candle. As we read the Old Testament, peace was the furthest thing the Israelites faced. They were familiar with war and being taken captive – yet Isaiah in chapter 9 says something amazing. He talks about a child who will be the Prince of Peace – one who will bring endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom – their kingdom. Not only will this prince establish it but will uphold it from this time onward and forevermore. The Jews had been waiting for this Messiah – this one who would bring peace to their chaotic world. So fast forward hundreds of years to shepherds tending their sheep in Luke 2. They have been told of this Messiah – so this is why they are so excited to hear from the angel that the Messiah has been born. Then they hear the heavenly host praising God saying there will be peace on earth to those he favors. Who were the favored ones – the chosen – the Jewish nation. We are us...

  Psalms 16: 5-11; Colossians 1: 9-13   This week’s Advent candle is Joy. We now have three flames of light in the darkness. We have gone from Hope in God’s Love and from this we have Joy in our salvation – in the Christ child who will come and bring us salvation. David in Psalms 16 finds fullness of joy in the presence of the Lord. His heart is glad, and his soul rejoices since he keeps the Lord always before him – God being at his right hand. Due to this he won’t be moved. He will endure and have patience during the hard times of life. He claims that in God’s right hand are pleasures forevermore. The Lord being always present and before him brings us one of the names of Jesus given at his birth – that of Emmanuel meaning God with us. Jesus fully God incarnated became human to bring salvation to us. So instead of dying and going to Sheol or the Pit God will show David the path of life. This way of life will be shown in the life the baby Jesus will live out. The way of...