04 December 2022 - Second Sunday of Advent

 

Theme

Our Advent season continues this week with more promises of the coming Christ. This week’s readings remind us that God’s dream for the world and humanity is one of unity, peace and wholeness. Isaiah declares that a descendent of David is coming who will obey God, bring justice to the poor and reconcile the world to God. The apostle Paul declares that the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement to live in unity as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. In Matthew, we learn about John the baptist who fulfils Isaiah’s prophecy and warns people of the coming Messiah who will baptise all people in the Holy Spirit and judge the living and the dead.

Scripture Readings

  • Isaiah 11:1-10 - Isaiah declares that a new branch will grow and bear fruit out of David’s line. This person will obey God and bring justice to the poor. Isaiah describes a beautiful vision of all creation living together in peace and harmony during those days. David’s heir will be a banner of salvation and all Nations will flock to him.
  • Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 - A prayer for the king to be righteous and just and for God to bless his reign.
  • Romans 15:4-13 - The Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Paul encourages the believers to live in unity and accept each other as God has accepted them. He explains how Jesus’ Gospel brings both Jew and Gentile together as one people in faith.
  • Matthew 3:1-12 - John the baptist begins preaching that the Kingdom of Heaven is coming and people should repent. People came from all over to confess their sins and be baptised by John. When Jewish religious leaders come to John, he rebukes them for their exclusive theology and claims that God can create children of Abraham “out of these very stones.” John declares that he baptised those who confess their sins with water, but one greater than he is coming who will baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire. This person will be the ultimate judge of all.

The Context

In this week’s readings, we get a glimpse of both Matthew and Paul’s desire to show how Jesus was the true fulfilment of Jewish prophecies, but his salvation goes beyond the Jewish people to include all who choose to believe.

Personal Application

We are reminded this week that Jesus baptised and welcomed any who desired to follow him, regardless of background and culture. The religious leaders believed that they held the exclusive authority on who was accepted and usable by God, but Jesus flipped the script and often rebuked the pious religious elite while baptising and using the most humble, repentent sinners.

These readings make us wonder where we find ourselves in the story. Do we find ourselves policing God’s grace like the religious elite and deciding who are the “real” Christians and who are not? Or are we approaching Christ humbly and declaring to the world that God’s grace is available to all, regardless of how we feel about them? Matthew reminds us that Christ is the judge of all and we should be cautious about taking this duty upon ourselves.

As we prepare for Christ’s coming incarnation, let us be reminded of the type of vessels that God prefers to use: people who are open; humble; sacrificial; vulnerable and repentant. When people heard the Good News that John and Jesus were preaching, they rushed to confess their sins and be baptised by them. When last did you approach Christ in humble repentance?

Communal Application

This week’s lectionary readings remind us that Christ’s Gospel is Good News for everyone, not only a select few. This should change the way that we prepare for the incarnation of Christ. As we look ahead with hope and joy, we can find ways to include others in our celebrations and preparations.

This is perhaps one of the reasons that many Christians and Churches use the Advent season as an intentional time of charity and giving to those who need it most with initiatives such as toy drives and soup kitchens.

How can your church use this Advent season to remind the world that Christ’s Gospel is indeed Good News to all people, particularly those who are lost, vulnerable and oppressed?

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