08 December 2024 - Advent 2, Year C

 

Theme

This week’s lectionary readings speak about God’s promise of a Messiah and the life that can be experienced with him. Luke references Isaiah’s prophecy about John and the salvation that God will bring. Malachi prophesies about the Messiah and the way he will refine and purify God’s people. In Luke 1, the Psalm reading for this week, Zechariah prophesies about Jesus and John’s coming ministry which involves salvation, mercy, forgiveness, righteousness and peace. In Phillipians, Paul gives thanks and refers to the righteous life that they can experience with Jesus.

Scripture Readings

  • Malachi 3:1-4 - The prophet Malachi shares about the coming Messiah and encourages God’s people that they will be refined and their offerings will once again be pleasing to God.
  • Luke 1:68-79 - A prophecy of Zechariah, John the Baptist’s Dad. Zechariah speaks about the coming Messiah and a hope of being better and living without fear. He praises God for sending their saviour. He goes on to talk about his son John who will prepare the way for Jesus who will forgive their sins and guide them to peace.
  • Philippians 1:3-11 - A prayer of thanksgiving for the people of God in Phillipi. He acknowledges the good they are doing and his compassion for them. His prayer is that their love will overflow so that they may be pure and blameless.
  • Luke 3:1-6 - Luke’s introduction to John the Baptist and his purpose. Isaiah is quoted to show that John is the voice crying out in the wilderness.

Personal Application

This week’s readings encourage us to live life alongside the Messiah who is Jesus the Christ.

Jesus’ ministry (and John’s) shows us that we can approach Jesus when we need forgiveness, mercy, compassion, etc. Jesus offers salvation to all.

As we walk with Jesus, we become like him and we are made blameless and pure. Even though we will never be perfectly pure, journeying with God helps us to move in the right direction and because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can be forgiven and seen as righteous in God’s eyes.

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, taught about Christian Perfection as something that all people can experience. This does not mean that we are or ever will be perfect, but through God’s sanctifying grace we are continuously being made new and moving towards holiness (Christian Perfection).

What does walking with Jesus look like for you? Have you experienced some of these gifts as your have journeyed with God?

Communal Application

The prophecies in this week’s readings were given to God’s people and provided hope during difficult times. When the Israelites were feeling lost and abandoned, God promised to give them a Messiah that would bring about a new world and life.

God fulfilled his promise by sending Jesus. This inaugurated a new Kingdom and gave God’s people a new life and purpose.

As we encounter crises in our own lives and the world, we may tend to despair. However, we can trust in God’s promises as God has proven God’s faithfulness many times.

These passages also encourage us to pray for others, particularly non-believers, so that they too may experience the abundant life and salvation that Jesus offers.

How can we be more Christlike in our interactions with others so that when they are in despair, they feel comfortable to come to us? How can we show our trust in God and God’s promises, even though our world may seem to be falling apart?

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