Good morning!
We're so happy you chose to join us for the fourth Sunday of Advent!
Next Sunday will be Christmas! We plan to meet with whoever wants to come, read some selections together from the Christmas Ideals, and sing some carols.
When we meet in person, we share any joys or concerns from the past week. Consider your past week, and any prayer requests you may have. If you would like, you can share them in the comments. When you are ready, use the prayer below, from Sarah Martin, to get started.
Father, just as You sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus, help me to clear the path in my heart, too. Show me the distractions that block me from the worship of You this Advent. Lord, I await Your coming! As I celebrate the first Advent––the first coming––I look toward the day when I will see You face to face. I imagine what it will be like. Give me a heart, Lord, that looks for Your coming on a daily basis. Help me to live my life where I'm constantly seeking Your presence. My offering to You today is my righteous life for I know I am only clean because of Jesus. Show me how I must be refined, purified, and forgiven today. Give me the strength to ask for forgiveness and then change my ways. Amen
Today's lesson is on Luke 3:2b-6, 15-18. The other three gospels also tell the story of John the Baptist -- Matthew 3:1-12, Mark 1:1-8, and John 1:19-34; 3:22-36.
Lesson Context
John the Baptist came as the last prophet of Israel. The gospels describe him and his preaching as coming in the type of the prophet Elijah. Elijah was a prophet in the Old Testament who preached repentance mostly to the people in the northern kingdom of Israel. John the Baptist spent his formative years in the wilderness. Our book says some New Testament scholars propose that while in the wilderness, he may have been influenced by a Jewish sect called the Essenes. The members of this sect moved away from others, and lived in what we might think of as a monastic community. In their writings, primarily from the Dead Sea Scrolls, they seem to have been interested in preparing for the coming Messiah, and for the imminent end of the age. However, the Essenes were not mentioned in the New Testament. We read about John's birth in last week's lesson. After a break, Luke reintroduces John. His public ministry began during the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar's reign as Roman emperor (reigned 14 - 37 CE), probably 28 or 29 CE. Pontius Pilate was the governor of Judea. Herod Antipas was tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. Luke probably introduced the time referring to the Roman rulers because his intended audience was primarily Gentiles. The Jewish people lived under foreign occupation, and were waiting for the Messiah to free them.
1. The Prophet Appears
In the Old Testament, the word of God came to prophets and led them to action. A similar thing happened to John. He was in the lineage of Israel's priesthood as the son of Zechariah. John preached in the wilderness. The wilderness had served both as the backdrop for the chastisement of God's people and their renewal. John's work fulfilled his father's prophecy that John would, "give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins." Leaders of the first-century church continued to preach a message of repentance and baptism. The act of repentance requires that people acknowledge their sin and turn to God. The practice of water baptism to indicate spiritual cleansing did not start with John. The prophet Ezekiel described how water would metaphorically cleanse God's people from their moral impurities and would show the presence of God's spirit. The immersion of a person into water served as a way to Gentiles to signify their conversion into Judaism. John's baptism of repentance was preparatory in nature. Believers who received that baptism also needed to be baptized again, "in the name of the Lord Jesus," after his ascension. Luke quotes Isaiah 40:3-5: A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” All four gospels quote at least Isaiah 40:3. This shows that John's message fulfilled the Old Testament prophets. John was calling for repentance in the wilderness, with a message of hope to prepare the people. Luke quotes the entirety of the passage to illustrate the scope of God's salvation, which would have been important for his Gentile audience.
2. The Prophet's Identity
Expectations for the Jewish Messiah varied. Some expected the Messiah would be a military leader who would free the Jewish people from foreign oppression. Others anticipated that the Messiah would be a prophet like Moses. Our book notes that the title Christ is the Greek equivalent of Messiah, both of which mean, "the anointed one." Religious zealots at the time frequently attracted violent followers. Leaders considered zealous messianic expectations dangerous because they might lead to rebellion. The crowd was concerned with determining whether John was the Messiah. He had a following of disciples, who continued after his death. However, John denied he was the Messiah John said he was just the forerunner. The one coming would be more powerful. The baptism of fire would be one of the Spirit, to form one body of God's people. We can start to think of this with the tongues of flame at Pentecost. We can also think about the fire in terms of divine punishment. This goes along with the winnowing fork, which would separate the wheat from the chaff. The chaff would be burned. This was a warning: the coming Christ would remove impurity from among his people. John exhorted the people and also rebuked the political leaders of the day, particularly Herod Antipas. This eventually lead to John's beheading at the prompting of Herod's wife.
Conclusion
John came as a forerunner for Christ and a prophet to the people. He served the cause of Christ by baptizing people into a life of repentance and proclaiming the imminent arrival of God's salvation. Throughout the ministry of John the Baptist, he proclaimed good news, encouraged the downtrodden, and upset powerful leaders. Though scripture is mostly silent regarding his time in the wilderness, he came from that place with a message that would change the world. How might a wilderness experience prepare you to proclaim God's message of salvation through Jesus Christ? These experiences may cost you; wilderness experiences may not bring you a life filled with the world's measures of comfort, power, wealth, or honor. Instead, Jesus' followers are called to follow him and proclaim the good news of his salvation. In this sense, all believers prepare the world for the way of the Lord.
Prayer
God, as we wait for Jesus' return, show us how to prepare others to receive your salvation. Help us be attentive to the workings of your Spirit in our wilderness. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Questions for Discussion
Benediction
This week's benediction is from the New International Version.
Next Sunday is Christmas Day! Our lesson will be on Luke 1:46-55.
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Good morning!
We're so happy you decided to join us for the third Sunday of Advent!
When we meet together, we share our joys and concerns from the week. If you have any prayer requests from the past week, you can share them in the comments of this post so that we can all pray. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
God of Love,
Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us. He is a sign of your love. Help us walk in that love during the weeks of Advent, As we wait and prepare for his coming. We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.
Today's lesson is on Luke 1:57-66, 76-79.
This text highlights the fulfillment of God’s promises to a family and to the whole world. Luke’s Gospel emphasizes God’s work in the world by way of Elizabeth, Mary, and their experiences while pregnant. When Zechariah questioned Gabriel, he became mute until the child was born. When he recovered his voice, his first act was to praise God!
Conclusion
Despite his unbelief, God showed his goodness to Zechariah and Elizabeth by giving them a son. Zechariah discovered God is faithful and merciful despite our unbelief. His faithfulness invites us to give him praise. His mercy calls us to embrace his forgiveness. Where God’s salvation is present, darkness and death will turn to light and life. Prayer God, thank you for your display of mercy to us: the forgiveness of our sins through your Son, Jesus Christ. Though we may not often have adequate words, we praise you. Show us how we might prepare the way in the hearts of others to receive your forgiveness. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Thought to Remember God’s faithfulness will lead us to praise.
Benediction
Our benediction today is from the New International Reader's Version.
Next week's lesson will be on Luke 3:2b-6, 15-18.
Good morning!
We're glad you decided to join us for the second Sunday of Advent!
When we meet in person, we take some time to share our joys and concerns. If you have any prayer requests, you can add a comment on this lesson. When you are ready, use the prayer below, written by Henri J.M. Nouwen, to get started.
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day, We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!' Amen.
Today's lesson is on Luke 1:8-20.
The Gospel of Luke is one of two Gospel accounts that describe Jesus' birth and its context. The other account comes from the Gospel of Matthew. Luke's account is distinct in at least two ways. First, Luke's account is interwoven with events regarding the birth of Jesus' cousin John, Both pregnancies were announced by an angel, were accompanied by great wonders and had prepared the people for God's salvation.
Second, Luke's account highlights the significance of these parallel birth narratives through depictions of worship. Mary, a heavenly host, and Simeon all give praise to God for his work. Luke's account opens by way of introducing Zechariah, the father of John and a priest in the division of Abijah. Zechariah and other priests descended from Aaron, the brother of Moses. Over the centuries, Aaron's descendants became numerous to the point that they could not all serve in the temple at the same time. King David had organized the priest into 24 divisions for services. The division required adjustment following a session of captivity. These divisions apparently continued into the New Testament era. Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth, also a descendant of Aaron, were “righteous in the sight of God” and blameless regarding obeying his commandment. The couple was without children due to their ages and Elizabeth's barrenness. The time had arrived for Zechariah and his priestly division to begin their service in the temple. The events that followed would take place against the backdrop of a priest performing his duties before the presence of God. The renovation and expansion of the temple of the Lord in Jesus' day began during the reign of Herod the Great. Herod's efforts in this regard took at least 46 years. He used the temple as a political and religious tool to gain support from the Jewish people. Twice daily, a priest would enter the outer sanctuary and burn incense on the altar. The rising smoke and the fragrant aroma represented the people's prayers going up to God. Because of the numerous priests, the custom of drawing lots determined the priest who would fulfill this duty. This was a way to determine God's will. The chosen priest would fill this role one time in his lifetime. We can imagine the sense of awe and reverence that Zechariah felt as he received his lot and entered the sanctuary. Because only the chosen priest entered the Holy Place where the altar of incense was located, the assembled worshipers were scattered throughout the temple's courts as the priest burned the incense. The people were restricted to the various outer courts because of God's requirements regarding who could enter that space. It was not as though the people were unholy – their acts of praising highlighted their commitment to the Lord. Most people were probably praying that God restore Israel and free them from their bondage to foreign empires. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. The feeling of fear meant a sense of deep respect combined with sheer terror. Such a reaction was common when a person experienced a messenger of God. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayers have been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear your son and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth." Feelings of joy and delight would replace feelings of fear. But the birth of this child would have a much wider impact on just this couple. Many other people would rejoice because of the role this child would have in declaring God's plan for his people. John would not bring the long awaited salvation to God's people, Instead, he would be a forerunner, preparing the way for that salvation. He is never drink wine or other fermented drinks. The Law of Moses described two specific situations when a person would make a vow of abstinence from alcohol. First, priests were to avoid alcohol during their service to God. Second, Israelites who had taken the vow of a Nazirite were also to avoid alcohol. Both priests and Nazirites were set apart from others in order to serve God and his people. Instead of being filled with alcohol, John would be filled with the Holy Spirit. A characteristic of God's prophets in Scripture was that they were filled with God's Spirit. John would serve as a prophet of God, even before he was born. While in his mother's womb, he “leaped for joy” in the presence of the unborn Savior. As God's messenger, John would call his own people, the children of Israel, to return to God. John would call people to turn from their wickedness and enter the life of God's salvation. John came in the type, the spirit and power of the prophet Elijah. John would confront his people's unfaithfulness as he called them to repentance. Zachariah questions Gabriel the angel how this could happen since he and his wife were well along in their years. The same angel would later appear to Mary to announce the pending arrival of the Son of God and the eternal rule of God on earth. The lowly virgin Mary accepted Gabriel's message to her with faith, humility, and rejoicing. However, the knowledgeable priest Zechariah responded to Gabriel's message with skepticism and doubts. Zechariah's skepticism toward Gabriel's message was called out. When God speaks through his messenger, there is no uncertainty with regard to that message. Instead, God's people are to submit to the message that brings good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time. Gabriel's sign also came with mercy and promise; on the day that Gabriel's promises were fulfilled, Zechariah's sign would be lifted. At that point, Zechariah's unbelief would be replaced with praise to God for fulfilling his promise.
Conclusion – Rhythms of God's Plan
Zechariah expected that God would use someone exceptional, not ordinary, to work out his divine plan of salvation. However, God frequently calls the unassuming or the seemingly ill-equipped. Zechariah and his family were the latest iteration of God's working through people who least expected it. Though Zechariah served as a priest, he was skeptical that God would work through him and his wife. Of course we are not the parents of the forerunner of Christ, but Zechariah's story shows us that God will work through our lives as well. Will we doubt that God is serious when he calls us to fulfill his plan? Or will we believe and trust that God, who often has worked through ordinary people, will work through us? Prayer God of our salvation, we acknowledge that we sometimes doubt your work and that you would choose us. Strengthen our faith so that we can be ready when you call us. In Jesus' name, Amen. Questions
Benediction
Today's benediction is from the American Standard Version.
Next week's lesson will be on Luke 1:57-66, 76-79.
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