Traditionally the second Sabbath of Advent is focused on peace. In Psalm 85 we read, "I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—but let them not turn to folly." But what about Isaiah 40 and Mark 1? Both of those passages are focused on preparing the way for the Lord. Well, we know that the Lord for whom John prepared the way was the Prince of Peace. Moreover, Jesus has given us His peace. As we prepare the way for Christ, we prepare the way for peace. Come, Lord Jesus, and bring us your peace.
"So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him." (2 Peter 3:14-15) We are looking forward to the time when we will spend eternity with God. In the meantime, there is much work to do. We ought to be living 'holy and godly lives' as we await that day. How we live our lives reflects on God. It also reflects the peace and grace we find through Him. Our lives are meant to reflect the Lord and reveal the work He has accomplished in us. This in turn helps those around us to recognize God's claim on their lives. As we go about our day, may God's grace and peace be found in us to the glory of the Father.
All four Scripture passages remind me of Pastor Matt's sermons a few weeks ago, about our being alert (prepared) and being good stewards:
In the Psalm, we are reminded that we are His servants ("I will listen to what God the Lord says; He promises peace to His people, His faithful servants" -Psalm 85:8);
in Isaiah, we are reminded that we are His witnesses ("You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, 'Here is your God!' " -Isaiah 40:9);
in Mark, we are reminded of the precious and powerful gift of Christ's indwelling (And this was his message: “After me comes the One more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” -Mark 1:7-8);
and in 2 Peter, we are reminded that we are His holy people, and that we are to live every moment in recognition of that fact (Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. -2 Peter 3:11-13).
Of course, it's no surprise (and certainly no coincidence), that these are also the passages that show me God's peace:
I have peace when I listen to the Lord, recognizing His commands and promises (Psalm 85:8); I have peace when I proclaim the Good News, because it strengthens my relationship with Him (Isaiah 40:9); I have peace when I remind myself every day that I have been saved and redeemed, and that I am being sanctified (Mark 1:7-8); and I have peace when I focus on God instead of the world (2 Peter 3:11-13).
"A voice of one calling: 'In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.'"
Isaiah's words here are later picked up by John the Baptist, who is charged with the responsibility of "making straight the way of the Lord" as he proclaims the advent of Jesus, God's Son and our Savior. It is a responsibility which is transferred to all who would follow Christ. We, too, are given the task of "making straight the way of the Lord," of preparing for His return both personally and by sharing the good news of that return with those we know. It is a difficult task at times, but a worthy one. Best of all, by doing so we become peace-makers, for when those who do not know the Lord call on His name for salvation, they find peace with God.
"'And this was [John the Baptist's] message: 'After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.'” (Mark 1:7-8) It is our baptism with the Holy Spirit which makes it possible for us to know God. Before we received the Holy Spirit, we had no relationship with God. We were separated from God by our sin, and there was enmity between ourselves and God. But Jesus abolished "in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace." (Ephesians 2:15 NASB) This was accomplished through Jesus' death on the cross, established through His resurrection, and sealed by the giving of the Holy Spirit. You and I can know God, and can know Him intimately, because of all of this. And this is but a shadow of the glory that lies ahead! "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known." (1 Corinthians 3:12). What a blessing these promises are to those who believe, allowing us to enjoy peace with God in the present while knowing that the best is yet to come!
Note: "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:12 (not 3:12)
in the Incarnation of Christ: Isaiah 40:1-11: 5 The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
in the Plan of Our Salvation: Psalm 85:8-13: Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land.
in the Pouring out of the Holy Spirit: Mark 1:1-8: “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
in the Day of the Lord: 2 Peter 3:8-15a: 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Then, new heavens, new earth -- Glory!
Traditionally the second Sabbath of Advent is focused on peace. In Psalm 85 we read, "I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—but let them not turn to folly." But what about Isaiah 40 and Mark 1? Both of those passages are focused on preparing the way for the Lord. Well, we know that the Lord for whom John prepared the way was the Prince of Peace. Moreover, Jesus has given us His peace. As we prepare the way for Christ, we prepare the way for peace. Come, Lord Jesus, and bring us your peace.
ReplyDelete"So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him." (2 Peter 3:14-15) We are looking forward to the time when we will spend eternity with God. In the meantime, there is much work to do. We ought to be living 'holy and godly lives' as we await that day. How we live our lives reflects on God. It also reflects the peace and grace we find through Him. Our lives are meant to reflect the Lord and reveal the work He has accomplished in us. This in turn helps those around us to recognize God's claim on their lives. As we go about our day, may God's grace and peace be found in us to the glory of the Father.
ReplyDeleteAll four Scripture passages remind me of Pastor Matt's sermons a few weeks ago, about our being alert (prepared) and being good stewards:
ReplyDeleteIn the Psalm, we are reminded that we are His servants ("I will listen to what God the Lord says; He promises peace to His people, His faithful servants" -Psalm 85:8);
in Isaiah, we are reminded that we are His witnesses ("You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, 'Here is your God!' " -Isaiah 40:9);
in Mark, we are reminded of the precious and powerful gift of Christ's indwelling (And this was his message: “After me comes the One more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” -Mark 1:7-8);
and in 2 Peter, we are reminded that we are His holy people, and that we are to live every moment in recognition of that fact (Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. -2 Peter 3:11-13).
Of course, it's no surprise (and certainly no coincidence), that these are also the passages that show me God's peace:
I have peace when I listen to the Lord, recognizing His commands and promises (Psalm 85:8); I have peace when I proclaim the Good News, because it strengthens my relationship with Him (Isaiah 40:9); I have peace when I remind myself every day that I have been saved and redeemed, and that I am being sanctified (Mark 1:7-8); and I have peace when I focus on God instead of the world (2 Peter 3:11-13).
"A voice of one calling:
ReplyDelete'In the wilderness prepare
the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
a highway for our God.'"
Isaiah's words here are later picked up by John the Baptist, who is charged with the responsibility of "making straight the way of the Lord" as he proclaims the advent of Jesus, God's Son and our Savior. It is a responsibility which is transferred to all who would follow Christ. We, too, are given the task of "making straight the way of the Lord," of preparing for His return both personally and by sharing the good news of that return with those we know. It is a difficult task at times, but a worthy one. Best of all, by doing so we become peace-makers, for when those who do not know the Lord call on His name for salvation, they find peace with God.
"'And this was [John the Baptist's] message: 'After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.'” (Mark 1:7-8) It is our baptism with the Holy Spirit which makes it possible for us to know God. Before we received the Holy Spirit, we had no relationship with God. We were separated from God by our sin, and there was enmity between ourselves and God. But Jesus abolished "in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace." (Ephesians 2:15 NASB) This was accomplished through Jesus' death on the cross, established through His resurrection, and sealed by the giving of the Holy Spirit. You and I can know God, and can know Him intimately, because of all of this. And this is but a shadow of the glory that lies ahead! "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known." (1 Corinthians 3:12). What a blessing these promises are to those who believe, allowing us to enjoy peace with God in the present while knowing that the best is yet to come!
ReplyDeleteNote:
Delete"For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
1 Corinthians 13:12 (not 3:12)
Yo, Adrian, I don't type too good.
DeleteAnother Thread:
ReplyDeleteThe Glory of the Lord
God’s Glory is revealed:
in the Incarnation of Christ:
Isaiah 40:1-11: 5 The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, And all flesh
shall see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
in the Plan of Our Salvation:
Psalm 85:8-13: Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him,
That glory may dwell in our land.
in the Pouring out of the Holy Spirit:
Mark 1:1-8: “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
in the Day of the Lord:
2 Peter 3:8-15a: 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens
will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
Then, new heavens, new earth -- Glory!