Luke 1:68-79;
Luke 3:1-6
Malachi 3:1-4
Today is the second Sunday in Advent, and our scripture lessons still don't sound anything like the picture of Christmas that's promoted in the stores and on TV. While they're all showing cozy fireplaces and happy families and holiday tables loaded with every imaginable goody, our lessons are talking about messengers who bring harsh judgment with everlasting consequences.
What is the church trying to do, take away our holiday spirit? Well, maybe not so much take it away as clarify it. My role as a pastor, and yours as faithful disciples is to help the world understand the true meaning of the event celebrated on December 25. And, without scripture texts like these we've heard today, we don't really have the whole picture. Now, we can react to these texts in any number of ways. We can read them with fear and trepidation at what the "Day of the Lord" might look like when it comes. Or we can find in these words comfort and hope, strength to face whatever might try to harm us, and peace because we've had a glimpse of what God's future has in store for all creation.
This past week I've been wondering how Zechariah, John the baptizer's father, might have felt all those centuries ago. Zechariah's was not an easy life. And his son's renown didn't make his dad's life any easier. If they'd had email in those days, I wonder what Zechariah might have written to his closest friends. Hmmm... Well, what d'ya know! I happen to have here a copy of an ancient email sent from one "Zechariah@thetemple.org" to "Simeonthelder@thetemple.org" and it's dated "in the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius." Sounds like a long lost message to me. Let's get snoopy and find out what these old friends exchanged on their Internet.
Zechariah writes:
- Dear Simeon,
Peace to you and to your kin.
Old friend, what can I say? You have always been such a good listener. We've known each other for so many years. I'm about at my wits' end trying to figure out my son, John. You know he's always been a handful, but these days I don't know what to think. Something wonderful and mysterious may be about to happen. I hope I'm ready.
Being ready has always been difficult for me. Remember when I found out I was to be a father? I was already old enough to be a grandfather by that time, but you know my dear Elizabeth and I had never been blessed with children when we were younger. I thought I might be losing my mind when I heard that promise so many years ago.
There I was, doing my duty as a priest like you. It was my turn to serve in the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. (Lk 1:9) YOU know that's quite an honor, because it usually only happens once in a priest's lifetime. Yes, that was already a profoundly special day. But, then, out of nowhere that angel appeared, right there by the altar of incense. I was scared spitless! But the angel calmed my fears and told me Elizabeth would have a son - even told me to name him John! What a name. No one in our family had ever been named John. I'd immediately thought to name him Zechariah, Jr., but the angel would have no part of that!
Anyway, on that day the angel told me to get ready. My son was to be great in the sight of the Lord and filled with the Holy Spirit (Lk 1:15), just like the prophets of old! What a great honor and heavy burden for a small child to carry! God had planned a great future for my boy. He would unite parents and children, bring wisdom and righteousness to the disobedient, and get the people ready for the Day of the Lord. I had such high hopes for him, you know.
I didn't really trust what God had planned. I thought, as a priest and a man of the world, that if *I* had planned the coming of the Lord I'd surely do it differently. And, I started to argue with the angel. Well, you remember what happened then! Right, I couldn't talk for nine months. People thought I was stupid all of a sudden! Just because I couldn't speak! That humiliation taught me a thing or two.
The day of John's circumcision, with all the family, friends and neighbors there, you heard me speak for the first time in nine months. Just writing the words "His name is John" proved to God that I had had time to think and had turned around. I was ready to accept God's plan and God's timing, whatever they might bring. You heard me praising God and foretelling the future - God's future.
The Lord God of Israel had been faithful to the promises of old, promises made to Abraham and Sarah, our ancestors. God was bringing into the world a mighty savior, a descendant of David, to turn the world upside down. We need no longer live in fear, I remember saying. Our rescue, our future would be in God's hands. At that moment, I tell you, I knew through and through that all would be well. God's mercy would bring light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death and we'd be guided into the way of peace. I was so confident then!
But now, dear friend, I'm not so sure. Simeon, what am I going to do with that son of mine? Elizabeth and I made sure he got the best theological training. You know we observed all the holy days. We brought him to temple and helped him to learn the scriptures. I thought we did everything right. I THOUGHT John would be a priest, like you and me. I always thought my son would be a leader in the temple. Wouldn't he be likely to reach the most religious people that way? I THOUGHT that was what God had planned.
I just don't think I'm ready for how John is actually going about his ministry. There it is again. I'm just not ready. You'd think in these modern times, with Tiberius as our Emperor and Pilate governing Judea, Herod up there in Galilee and all the mighty princes in their palaces, that I'd be able to keep up to date with what's going on. But, I don't think I'll ever understand my son.
Simeon, he's out there in the Wilderness eating locusts and wild honey! He refuses to come into the temple as a properly trained priest. He says he meets more people out there in the desert who are searching for the truth than he'd ever see in the temple! Imagine that. He's out there among the ordinary, every-day run-of-the-mill people telling them to repent of their sins. He warns them to turn their lives around or they won't be ready for the coming of the Lord!
Now, be honest with me Simeon, wouldn't you think God would have sent this kind of message to our friends and family in the temple instead of sending the warning to outsiders? I just don't get it. I guess I'm not ready for God's love and mercy to be for ALL people. Those folks out there in the desert don't even know how to chant a psalm. They wouldn't know the names of the prophets if you asked them for a hundred years. They haven't studied the commandments God gave us in love. Why in the world would God send my son to warn THEM to get ready for the Day of the Lord?
John uses the words of the prophet Isaiah to predict the future for these people. And, since it's in our scriptures, I'm sure it applies to us, too. We're warned to prepare, to get ready, to straighten out what is crooked, to fill up what is empty and to bring down what the WORLD sees as the highest good. John is warning us that the Day of the Lord is not going to come easily. But, when it DOES come, ALL flesh will see the salvation of God.
I don't know about you, Simeon, but I don't think I'm ready for that day. Just look at my own life. I think I'm a bit jealous of my own son. And, a little afraid of him, too. At the same time, I'm embarrassed because he's not doing ministry the way I always thought he would. Out there among the rabble - instead of being a proper priest and performing rituals in the temple for the faithful to observe, he goes out of his way to look for needy souls. He mixes with the outcasts and the people who would make you and me ritually unclean if we were even in the same room with them.
Oh, there I go again. You see, I really am NOT ready for the Day of the Lord. As hard as I try, as often as I confess and begin again, I still end up unable to live a perfect life. I think I will go out to the Jordan and see what John is doing. I've heard he's offering a baptism that promises to wash away sin for those who repent. I really need to repent and know that I am forgiven.
I would sure be glad if there would come a day when I would know my future is secure in God's love. Do you think that day will ever come, Simeon? Are you ready for that day?
(Signed) Zechariah
I think that's what may have happened to the real Zechariah. Over the years as he watched his beloved son growing into a man, he must have prayed over and over again, as parents do, that God would guide his ways, keep him safe and bless his life. And, yet, I think Zechariah knew what the future was probably going to hold for his son. The old man knew his son wouldn't take the safe and easy route. John had been chosen by the Lord for a ministry that would shake up the world. And, like in the prophecies of Malachi, the world would not be a comfortable place for John.
As the Day of the Lord drew closer, John's life became more difficult. He spoke out in warning to the people, the righteous and the unclean. Some of them heard his message with fear and trepidation. Others found in John's message words of comfort and hope, strength to face whatever might try to harm them, and peace because they'd been given a glimpse of what God's future had in store for all creation.
During this Advent season, you and I have these scripture lessons to help us prepare for the coming of our savior, Jesus. Like Zechariah, we need to examine our lives, admit our helplessness, and accept God's plan for our lives. Like John, we need to tell the world what gives us hope even when the future looks bleak.
As those people in Luke's gospel were soon to find out, God's loving plan includes everyone. But, we live in a wilderness like John's where people either haven't heard, or refuse to hear, that all creation has been redeemed. God will restore wholeness and purity, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. That's a strong promise. That's a message you and I, like John, are called to announce.
Our Lord Jesus Christ has called us disciples. Are you ready? It's not an easy ministry we have been called to. But, with the strength offered to us through the Holy Spirit each day, you and I can be like John. We can live lives that draw attention to our faith that God has the future well in hand. By our ministry, by the way we live from day to day, we can tell the world of the hope we have in Jesus Christ.
With the knowledge that our salvation is secure, we can reach out as John did to those who do not know the Lord. We can't sit back and wait for them to come to us. Like John, we need to witness to our faith wherever we go: in school, at our work places, at the store, even patiently waiting in line to make holiday purchases, and driving with care along the crowded highway. Preparing the way of the Lord might not be easy, but the rewards are eternal. And we are not alone. Are you ready? Amen
Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, for all people according to their needs.
Lord of hosts, you have sent messengers to help us prepare for your coming again. Encourage pastors, teachers and volunteers to be strong in your service. Keep them mindful of their calling and keep them from straying from your paths. Purify them so that they will be examples of your righteousness. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. (Mal 3:1-4)
Lord God of Israel, ruler of the world, you have redeemed all creation through the life, death and resurrection of your son, Jesus the Christ. You kept your promises to our ancestors in faith, Abraham and Sarah. Grant that we, being rescued from eternal death through Jesus sacrifice might serve you without fear in holiness and righteousness all our days. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. (Luke 1:68-79)
Gracious Lord, teach us compassion for all your children. Remove fear and prejudice and teach us to love. In those places where your children are at war, give peace. Wherever your children are afraid, give courage. Send us into the world as your workers, witnessing to our faith through our generosity. Help us to share from our abundance so that others may have the necessities of life. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. (Phil 1:3-11)
Ruler of the world, we are broken people. In ancient times and modern times we rely on you for our very lives. Heal us from our infirmities. We ask your healing touch today for...
Are there others we should include in our prayers?
To whoever is broken, Lord, give healing. Raise up those who live in valleys of depression and guide us all into the way of your salvation. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. (Luke 3:1-6)
Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
(Comments to Linda at Linda_Kraft@Ecunet.org.)
Linda Kraft, Pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Stafford Springs, CT
Secretary, Slovak Zion Synod, ELCA
Board Member: ELCA Division for Higher Education and Schools