JESUS CHRIST; THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

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1 JESUS CHRIST; THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD Wednesday before the Third Sunday of Advent (Year B) December 10, 2014 Lessons Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Psalm 126 or St. Luke 1:46b-55 1 st Thessalonians 5:16-24 St. John 1:6-8, Pastor David J. Risendal drisendal@stplc.org facebook Dave Risendal Twitter: drisendal Saint Peter Lutheran Church 9300 East Belleview Avenue Greenwood Village, Colorado voice: 303/ fax: 303/ Prayer of the Day Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the words of your prophets, that, anointed by your Spirit, we may testify to your light; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. John, the baptizer a witness to testify the light of the world Sermon Light is a powerful image. It was particularly powerful during the early years of the Christian movement. In those days, the whole world wasn t illuminated by electric devices. It used to be bad enough that our darkness was disturbed by tungsten filaments. Now we also have L.E.D. lights, compact fluorescent lights, indicator lights on our electronic devices, glowing screens of illuminated alarm clocks A recent news story, covered by many media outlets, is the increasing numbers of people who have trouble falling asleep. One of the causes of this difficulty is the amount of ambient light in our

2 Wednesday before the Third Sunday of Advent (December 10, 2014) 2 bedrooms created by electronic devices that are powered up and ready to go. It is hard to find true darkness anymore. Light is everywhere. There is almost no end to it. That wasn t the case in first century life. In those days, once the sun went down darkness engulfed the city. Sure, the occasional candle or oil lamp was to be found; maybe in the larger cities even a torch or two along the main streets. But for the most part, nighttime even evening time was a time of darkness. A time of deep darkness. And when it is that dark, the presence of light can be amazing; in ways, overpowering. So from the earliest of times, the image of a candle shining in the dark has been an image of the presence of Christ in the world; pushing back the darkness that surrounds us. This is how the Gospel according to St. John begins. No talk of Mary and Joseph and angels and shepherds and the manger at Bethlehem. No talk of a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin. No talk of the refiner s fire, and the destruction of plants that don t bear fruit. Here St. John s Gospel begins with darkness. And with light. And with John, the baptizer, the cousin of Jesus. The one who came as a witness to testify to the light. There are three notions wrapped up in that sentence. The first is the notion of a witness. It is a legal image. It refers to the one who is asked to report on what they have observed and experienced. When we think of witness these days when we think of evangelism we often imagine we have to be the witness, the prosecuting attorney, the judge and the jury. The truth is: we are only called to be witness to what we have observed and experienced. How is it that your faith makes a difference in your lives? How is it that your relationship with God is a source of strength and hope and peace for you? If you have an answer to those questions not an answer based on a text book you have studied, or a class you have attended, but your own observations and your own experience then you, like John, are perfectly prepared to be a witness. The second notion in that sentence is of a testimony. When you hear that word, you may imagine someone at a lectern or a pulpit, speaking to many. Or you might recall street preachers, waving Bibles at passers-by. Truth is, testimony takes place in many settings. Two friends sitting together at a coffee shop. Two neighbors taking a water break on a long bike ride. Two young people sending texts back and forth with each other. Small group members sharing their highs and lows. John s testimony took place where he lived: on the banks of a river, in the wilderness outside of Jerusalem. Our testimony takes place where we live: in our homes, in our neighborhoods, at school, at work The third notion in that sentence is that of light. The question is: How does the testimony of a witness enlighten the listener? As we experience and reflect on our faith; as we share our insights and observations with others; how does what we share with them help them to see God more clearly? To see life in a new way? That is, ultimately, what the testimony of a witness does. We don t insist on our understanding of God, and demand that others believe in the same way that we do. We make clear how our faith helps us to see God more clearly, and empowers us to live in a new way. We make clear

3 Wednesday before the Third Sunday of Advent (December 10, 2014) 3 how our faith leads us to a place of peace and hope. We make clear how our faith is a blessing in our lives. Then we trust. We trust that the Holy Spirit will take our testimony, and enlighten those who receive it. John, the Baptizer, the one who came as a witness to testify to the light. He points us to Christ, who enlightens us, and who helps us to see ourselves and our world in an entirely different way. And he models for us what a life of faithfulness looks like. It has to do with asking ourselves two questions: How is it that my faith, my Lord and my God enlighten my life? And whose life might be enriched by hearing what my faith means to me? Let s take a moment and reflect on those questions. How does your faith bring light to your life? And who is God calling you to share that light with? [allow worshippers time for reflection] May the presence of Christ in your life enlighten your living. And may you discover faithful ways to share that light with your family, your friends, your neighbors, and all who might enlightened by the testimony of your witness. Amen. David J. Risendal, Pastor Gospel Lesson; English Text There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you? 20 He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, I am not the Messiah. 21 And they asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? He said, I am not. Are you the prophet? He answered, No. 22 Then they said to him, Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself? 23 He said, I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah said. 24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet? 26 John answered them, I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not 1 A list of Bible lessons for the coming weeks is available at

4 Wednesday before the Third Sunday of Advent (December 10, 2014) 4 know, 27 the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal. 28 This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing. 2 Gospel Lesson; Greek Text: 1.6 Ἐγένετο ἄνθρωπος, ἀπεσταλµένος παρα θεου, ὄνοµα αὐτῳ Ἰωάννης 7 οὑ τος ἠ λθεν εἰς µαρτυρίαν ἵνα µαρτυρήσῃ περι του φωτός, ἵνα πάντες πιστεύσωσιν δι αὐτου. 8 οὐκ ἠ ν ἐκει νος το φω ς, ἀλλ ἵνα µαρτυρήσῃ περι του φωτός. 19 Και αὕτη ἐστι ν ἡ µαρτυρία του Ἰωάννου, ὅτε ἀπέστειλαν [προ ς αὐτο ν] οἱ Ἰουδαι οι ἐξ Ἱεροσολύµων ἱερει ς και Λευίτας ἵνα ἐρωτήσωσιν αὐτόν συ τίς εἰ ; 20 και ὡµολόγησεν και οὐκ ἠρνήσατο, και ὡµολόγησεν ὅτι ἐγω οὐκ εἰµι ὁ χριστός. 21 και ἠρώτησαν αὐτόν τί οὐ ν; συ Ἠλίας εἰ ; και λέγει οὐκ εἰµί. ὁ προφήτης εἰ σύ; και ἀπεκρίθη οὔ. 22 εἰ παν οὐ ν αὐτῳ τίς εἰ ; ἵνα ἀπόκρισιν δω µεν τοι ς πέµψασιν ἡµα ς τί λέγεις περι σεαυτου ; 23 ἔφη ἐγω φωνη βοω ντος ἐν τῃ ἐρήµῳ εὐθύνατε τη ν ὁδο ν κυρίου, καθω ς εἰ πεν Ἠσαί ας ὁ προφήτης. 24 Και ἀπεσταλµένοι ἠ σαν ἐκ τω ν Φαρισαίων. 25 και ἠρώτησαν αὐτο ν και εἰ παν αὐτῳ τί οὐ ν βαπτίζεις εἰ συ οὐκ εἰ ὁ χριστο ς οὐδε Ἠλίας οὐδε ὁ προφήτης; 26 ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοι ς ὁ Ἰωάννης λέγων ἐγω βαπτίζω ἐν ὕδατι µέσος ὑµω ν ἕστηκεν ὃν ὑµει ς οὐκ οἴδατε, 27 ὁ ὀπίσω µου ἐρχόµενος, οὑ οὐκ εἰµι [ἐγω ] ἄξιος ἵνα λύσω αὐτου το ν ἱµάντα του ὑποδήµατος. 28 ταυ τα ἐν Βηθανίᾳ ἐγένετο πέραν του Ἰορδάνου, ὅπου ἠ ν ὁ Ἰωάννης βαπτίζων. 3 First Lesson; English Text: 61:1 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. 4 They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. 8 For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. 10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. 4 Second Lesson; English Text: 5.16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise the words of prophets, 21 but test everything; hold fast to what is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil St. John 1:6-8, 19-28, New Revised Standard Version Bible, opp. cit. St. John 1:6-8, 19-28, The Greek New Testament, Aland, Kurt, Black, Matthew, Martini, Carlo M., Metzger, Bruce M., and Wikgren, Allen, ( 1983, Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft Stuttgart). Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, New Revised Standard Version Bible, opp. cit.

5 Wednesday before the Third Sunday of Advent (December 10, 2014) 5 23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. 5 Second Lesson; Greek Text: 5:16 Πάντοτε χαίρετε, 17 ἀδιαλείπτως προσεύχεσθε, 18 ἐν παντὶ εὐχαριστεῖτε τοῦτο γὰρ θέληµα θεοῦ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ εἰς ὑµᾶς. 19 τὸ πνεῦµα µὴ σβέννυτε, 20 προφητείας µὴ ἐξουθενεῖτε, 21 πάντα δὲ δοκιµάζετε, τὸ καλὸν κατέχετε, 22 ἀπὸ παντὸς εἴδους πονηροῦ ἀπέχεσθε. 23 Αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης ἁγιάσαι ὑµᾶς ὁλοτελεῖς, καὶ ὁλόκληρον ὑµῶν τὸ πνεῦµα καὶ ἡ ψυχὴ καὶ τὸ σῶµα ἀµέµπτως ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ τοῦ κυρίου ἡµῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τηρηθείη. 24 πιστὸς ὁ καλῶν ὑµᾶς, ὃς καὶ ποιήσει st Thessalonians 5:16-24, New Revised Standard Version Bible, opp. cit. 1 st Thessalonians 5:16-24, The Greek New Testament, opp. cit.