RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PRAISE

Transcript

1 RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PRAISE Wednesday before the Third Sunday of Advent (Year B) December 13, 2017 Lessons Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Psalm 126 or St. Luke 1:46b-55 st 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 St. John 1:6-8, Prayer of the Day Pastor David J. Risendal drisendal@stplc.org facebook Dave Risendal Twitter: drisendal Saint Peter Lutheran Church 9300 East Belleview Avenue Greenwood Village, Colorado 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. voice: 303/ fax: 303/ Sermon The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me With these words begins the well-known and treasured 61st chapter of Isaiah. This declaration has given hope to God s people throughout the ages. To the exiles returning from Babylon at the end of the 6th Century B.C. it announced the promise that God would come to them, help them rebuild their nation, and recover the ancient promises made to their ancestors. To those living just before the birth of Christ it announced the promise that God would come to them in the form of the Messiah, and deliver them from their bondage to the Romans. To those who made up the first generation of Christians it announced the promise that God would come to them, and deliver them from the hands of those who worked so feverishly to oppose their witness. It is a word of comfort to know that God comes. When we are oppressed, or brokenhearted, or captive, or imprisoned, or mourning, or facing injustice, or harmed by robbery and wrongdoing in the midst of whatever particular challenges we might face, God comes into our lives, blesses us, surrounds us with

2 Wednesday Before the Third Sunday of Advent (December 13, 2017) 2 others who serve as instruments of healing and strength, and leads us to a new day. There are times, though, when it is hard to keep this in mind. When the pain and difficulty we experience tears at the very heart of us; when systems of injustice seem so firmly in place; when those charged with caring for the wellbeing of this world seem preoccupied with other interests; when the media assail us with far more bad news than good news; in these kinds of times it is hard to remember the promises of God. It is hard to hold on to the hope that is ours. And so time and time again we turn to these words from Isaiah; the ancient prophet on whom the Spirit of the Lord God rested, because the Lord had anointed him to bring good news to the people. Liberty to the captives. Release to the prisoners. Comfort to all who mourn. Justice to those who are plagued by robbery and wrongdoing. Good news for the people of God throughout the ages, no matter what they faced. Good news for the people of God today. Isaiah s promise is clear: when the brokenness of the world seems overwhelming; when the powers that be seem supportive of everything that is abhorrent to God; when there is no earthly hope for the tides to turn towards justice and righteousness, it is God who comes among us with power and might. This is a promise we can trust, because it comes in the name of the one whose promises are always kept. Good news indeed! But the message of Isaiah isn t quite as simple as this. Isaiah understood himself as claimed by God s Spirit and anointed to proclaim good news to God s people. He also understood that God s people were to become agents of the very gifts they received. In the opening verses of this evening s text, Isaiah proclaims the good news of God. In the closing verses, he invites all of God s people to join together in this sacred work. 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. As is the case with Isaiah and his own ministry, the invitation to be the people from whom righteousness and praise spring up is less command than promise. They are invited into a new life. They are freed from their captivity, to rebuild their ancient homes. They are no longer living in the midst of bondage and destruction, but are now at the threshold of a new day a day in which they will once again live into the promise made to their ancestors the promise that they will be a nation blessed by God. And here s the thing: as the people of God return to the destruction that once was their home, they themselves become workers for restoration. An active and tangible sign of God s presence and power. At the heart of Isaiah s proclamation is this question: What does it mean to be God s people? The answer is timeless. God s people are both blessed and blessing.

3 Wednesday Before the Third Sunday of Advent (December 13, 2017) 3 God s people are both saved and saving. God s people are both cared for and caring. The oppressed among them receive good news; and become heralds of good news. The brokenhearted among them are healed, and become agents of healing. They are liberated from their captivity, and become committed to liberty for others. They are comforted in their time of mourning, and become sources of comfort for others who mourn. They are recipients of justice, and workers for justice throughout the world. God s people are both blessed and blessing. God s people are both saved and saving. God s people are both cared for and caring. Welcomed into God s love, just as we are. Sent into God s world, as a reflection of Christ. This is our heritage as a people of faith. Isaiah announces it with his stirring message. Jesus lives into it through his life, death and resurrection. The church embodies it through its committed love of the neighbor. And the season of Advent commends it to you and to me. We experience the grace and redemption of God in our lives. And this experience inspires us and empowers us to make a difference in our world. 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. As we walk together through these days of Advent, awaiting the arrival of the Christmas season, we prepare for those ways Christ will be born anew in our lives and in our faith. May the gifts of God that touch our hearts this season become the gifts of God we share with the world. It is the vision of Isaiah. It is the ministry of Jesus. It is the purpose of Advent. 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 1 A list of Bible lessons for the coming weeks is available at

4 Wednesday Before the Third Sunday of Advent (December 13, 2017) 4 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 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 4 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 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). Regarding the use of small caps with God s name: when God's Hebrew name YHWH is used in the Hebrew Bible, English translations usually use LORD in all caps or small caps. When Lord occurs, referring to God, it is usually a rendering of the Hebrew Adonai, a name of God that emphasizes lordship. When God" is used, it is usually a rendering of the general Hebrew word for God, Elohim. When Lord GOD occurs, it is usually a rendering of a dual name for God: Adonai YHWH.

5 Wednesday Before the Third Sunday of Advent (December 13, 2017) 5 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. [ 5 Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, foreigners shall till your land and dress your vines; 6 but you shall be called priests of the LORD, you shall be named ministers of our God; you shall enjoy the wealth of the nations, and in their riches you shall glory. 7 Because their shame was double, and dishonor was proclaimed as their lot, therefore they shall possess a double portion; everlasting joy shall be theirs.] 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. 5 Second Lesson; English Text: 1.16 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. 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 Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, New Revised Standard Version Bible, opp. cit. 1 st Thessalonians 5:16-24, New Revised Standard Version Bible, opp. cit.

6 Wednesday Before the Third Sunday of Advent (December 13, 2017) 6 Second Lesson; Greek Text: 1:16Πάντοτε χαίρετε, 17ἀδιαλείπτως προσεύχεσθε, 18ἐν παντὶ εὐχαριστεῖτε τοῦτο γὰρ θέληµα θεοῦ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ εἰς ὑµᾶς. 19τὸ πνεῦµα µὴ σβέννυτε, 20προφητείας µὴ ἐξουθενεῖτε, 21πάντα δὲ δοκιµάζετε, τὸ καλὸν κατέχετε, 22ἀπὸ παντὸς εἴδους πονηροῦ ἀπέχεσθε. 23Αὐτὸς 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. 24πιστὸς ὁ καλῶν ὑµᾶς, ὃς καὶ ποιήσει st Thessalonians 5:16-24, The Greek New Testament, opp. cit.