O God, you have been with us since the beginning of time. Yet each year we wait to be surprised by how you will come anew to us this year. Help us to welcome you into our world once again - to serve you in a new and transforming way - and to take time to wait and prepare in the busyness of our preparations. Amen
This is the first Sunday in the season of Advent, which means “coming” - the time of spiritual preparation for the Messiah to come, for the Christ child to be born once again into our hearts. The colour used to mark Advent was once purple (for royalty), but was confused with the penitent purple of Lent, so many churches have switched to blue for this season of excitement and anticipation (think of blue skies!)
One of the realities of the season is “unpacking” the biblical stories from the overpowering flood of Christmas tradition, taking the time to appreciate the foresight of the prophets, the hopes and expectations of the people to whom the Christ child was born, how the authors set the stage for two gospel accounts in Matthew and Luke.
READ: Jeremiah 33:14-16
14 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfil the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’
Jeremiah had been a prophet for a long time, and watched the political situation of Judah unravel. The northern kingdom "Israel" had already been invaded by the Assyrian king in 721. The southern kingdom enjoyed prosperous years, but started playing politics with their neighbours, irritating the mighty empires that surrounded them, with shifting alliances. The army of the Babylonians laid siege to Jerusalem, then finally swept in and destroyed the temple, hauling away the king, priests and upper classes. Jeremiah was left behind, probably because he was in prison for criticizing the king. Another wave of exiles would soon be taken, including Jeremiah. These were his words of hope to the people around him, who seemed to have no future. This is a part of Jeremiah that Martin Luther called “the little book of comfort” - after 30 chapters of condemnation, chapters 31-33 finally hold out hope. He promised them new (righteous) leaders in the present vacuum, but doesn’t say when. Will it even be in their generation?
In verse 14 – “The days are surely coming, says the Lord” Jeremiah uses the prophetic formula, where God speaks in the first person. The new leader will fulfil the covenant of Yahweh.
The house of Israel (northern) and house of Judah (southern kingdom) signify not just saving Judah, but the reunification of a people separated by corrupt leaders.
In verse 15 – there is an inner contradiction Jeremiah's words, because David’s “house” has historically been very corrupt, though David himself was a great hero. Jeremiah’s mixes his metaphors; he uses terms from Exodus (righteousness – tsedaqah or justice – mishpat) and the Sinai covenant, combined with David’s charisma and ability to unite all the 12 tribes of Israel.
The “righteous branch” - see Jeremiah 17:7-8 – Jeremiah's tree imagery is rich with meaning.
In verse 16 –The new name for the people of God puts God at the centre – righteousness is their identity (not the king, temple or law.)
The nation is renamed, signifying a second chance. Naming in Hebrew culture was powerful and symbolic, also re-naming. Think of Abrahm/Abraham; Sarai/Sarah; Jacob/Israel.
Their unifying force was the common good, returning to the Sinai covenant, the community mentality of a wilderness people, going back to their roots in God’s liberation.
Question for Reflection:
If you were going to re-name yourself, or your congregation – what new name would you choose, what hope would it express?
READ Luke 21: 25-36 -
25 ‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’
29 Then he told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
34 ‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’
Apocalyptic readings are common in Advent. Since Advent means “coming”, traditionally we are preparing for the 2nd coming of Christ. In more contemporary theology, what is coming is a time of renewal, opening ourselves to the possibility of becoming God’s realm.
Jesus talks about “unusual events” or signs twice in chapter 21 (also 21: 9-11.) Following tradition of Hebrew people, unusual events are interpreted with profound significance. Rainbow after flood - burning bush - pillar of fire – all are signs that God was near.
In Jesus’ time, the healings/exorcisms, feeding of crowd, calming storm were all “signs” which pointed to God being close to him. In the prophetic and apocalyptic traditions - the power of the signs always increased just before the coming of the Son of Man (Daniel).
Question for Reflection:
What are some of our contemporary signs and how do we interpret them?
The parable of the fig tree – remember Jeremiah’s imagery! A healthy tree was a sign that God was doing something good. This teaching is to take note of the obvious signals. You should make yourself ready when the time is right, not when it is convenient for you or expected by others. It is also a reminder that Jesus’ word will last longer than a generation.
Question for Reflection:
What words of Jesus stick in our minds, or will not pass away?
READ: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.
11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 13And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
The church at Thessalonica was founded by Paul after only a very short visit (3 weeks), after which he was chased out of town by “Jewish” opposition. Yet some of the faithful remained and Paul wrote 2 letters to encourage the new converts and correct some misunderstandings that arose out of the community over time (verse 10 – “whatever is lacking”.)
This passage probably reflects talk in the early church about the 2nd coming of Christ - perhaps a death had happened in the community, and they were questioning Christ’s timing (later in the letter Paul addresses this question 4:13-18.)
Thessalonians is one of Paul’s early letters, when he was still of the strong opinion that Jesus was coming soon, he writes of preparation, waiting, expectancy – as in Advent!
Question for Reflection
How do we do at “living in preparation”, or hope?
Closing Prayer: Psalm 25:1-5
an adaptation by James Taylor in Everyday Psalms
(1994: WoodLake Books, Winfield, BC)
I’m following your footsteps, my Saviour.
I trust you. Do not mislead me.
Don’t draw me into difficulty
where others can crow over my humiliation.
Let those who are sneaky and devious
Make fools of themselves, Lord.
But I do not want to be one of them.
I want to be like you.
Hold my hand while I learn to walk.
You are my only chance, I hang all my hopes on you.
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