______________________________________________________
1st SUNDAY IN ADVENT
We enter the season of Advent with powerful texts that speak of goings and
comings, of redemption and signs, of thanksgiving and admonishments. Today’s lessons
provide a welcomed respite from the hype fills the season with commercial noise. I get the
feeling that we’re walking through a circus with barkers on either side of us
shouting, "Stepppp right up!" Yet our lessons quietly remind us that there still
are things that credit cards can’t buy; and that despite how many "things"
we acquire, we still must face our end-and God’s redemption of a failed world.
JEREMIAH 33:14-16-I HAVEN’T FORGOTTEN MY PROMISE
Like Paul, who wrote some of his most hopeful pieces from prison, so the incarcerated
Jeremiah gushes forth great vision of a new future for Jerusalem. Our lesson concludes the
"little book of consolation" as some call this chapter. This section of oracle
focuses on the specific promise that God makes to David which appears in 2 Samuel 7: I
will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will
establish his kingdom (7:12). Thus Jeremiah prophetically announces the fulfillment of a
promise long thought a non-event. The image Jeremiah uses for this changing order is
memorable-a sprouting branch. A righteous leader will inevitably emerge who will execute
justice and righteousness to the extent that this leader will be called "The Lord is
our Righteousness."
1 THESSALONIANS 3:9-13-DELIGHTED IN YOUR PROGRESS
Paul has in hand a church report just brought to him via the house-churches that bears
this epistle’s name. Paul apparently wasn’t sure how these Christians had fared
when persecution arose against them, so Timothy is dispatched and returns. So delighted is
Paul that with the news that his beloved group of Christians at Thessalonica are doing
well, he breaks into a prayer of thanksgiving on their behalf. In the final verses
(3:11-13), Paul offers a two-fold petition to God: first, he asks God to direct him to
their community; secondly, Paul prays that the Thessalonians will grow in love both inside
and outside their community and that following his lead of agape, they would become strong
in their resolve to be Christ-followers and blameless until Christ’s return.
LUKE 21:25-36-REDEMPTION IS COMING
Seeking to reclaim the Temple nevertheless being rebuffed by its leadership, Jesus
pronounces woeful judgment on the Temple itself with its concomitant rituals and
ministries. In our passage, Jesus speaks of cosmic and natural signs that point toward the
redemption of the earth and the coming of the Son of Man. In the next paragraph, Jesus
turns from the prophetic voice to pastoral counsel. He urges his audience to pay attention
to such signs and uses the common image of trees budding as a way to be aware and ready
for the day of redemption. The final thought that closes this eschatological discussion is
that of exhortation: "Be on guard," Jesus says, so . . . "that day does not
catch you unexpectedly" (v. 34-35). "Be alert . . . praying . .
