Hey there! Writing here feels a little like Frosty the Snowman when he woke up—“GOOD MORNING!”
I’m not sure blogging is even a thing anymore, but for about the past month I’ve felt this push to dive into the Bible more, and to share my dive. I’ve missed my long-lost Sunday school class where we would study the lectionary readings in advance of the worship service. I still believe in reading ahead of time, because there’s nothing worse than listening to a reading in worship that starts with “then…”
“Then,” WHAT? And what happened before? And why does it matter? And who is talking, anyway?
So that’s why I’m back. I love putting the readings together, taking a moment to listen to the many ways God speaks to us through His word. I love listening—so if you have a chance, read the passages out loud. Especially the Psalms.
I’m also back because it’s the beginning of the lectionary year, and it’s even year A of the three-year cycle. What amazing timing: after Advent we will start with the Patriarchs in the Old Testament. Year A is the year for Matthew in the Gospel readings, and the New Testament readings will mostly be Paul. Mostly. And the thing is, the lectionary is put together to weave these together, to reveal more than might be apparent with just one passage.
A little housekeeping: I won’t put the full Bible readings in these blog posts. I’ll assume you have a favorite Bible or else can use the link to read along. If you are curious about what the lectionary is or how the different seasons of the Church work, sit tight. We will get to all of that eventually. But every week I’ll cover all four readings as designated by the Revised Common Lectionary, as found here. Some weeks there are alternate readings and I plan to note that, but for the season of Advent we have just one set of readings.
All set? Here we go.
Gospel: Matthew 24:36-44
This passage takes place about two days before Passover, after Jesus has come into Jerusalem on the donkey to shouts of Hosanna. It is part of a much longer section in Matthew that begins around Chapter 23 with Jesus telling about the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. He has been making some very public accusations and predictions, and the mood in Jerusalem is increasingly hostile to Him. At the beginning of Chapter 24 Jesus has gone to the Mount of Olives with just His disciples, and they take advantage of the quiet to ask more questions. He’s been answering them but the answers have been quite disturbing, to say the least.
In the verses immediately before this one, Jesus has described the destruction of the Temple. As you read, don’t forget that often Jesus uses the imagery of the destruction of the Temple to describe His impending death. Then He goes on to describe the coming of the Son of Man: “they (all the tribes of the earth) will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (24:30)
And of course, a primary question is “when?” Our reading today is part of that answer.
The short answer is, of course, that only the Father knows. But there will be signs, mostly that the world will look like it did at the time of Noah—corrupt! (Genesis 6:11) People will be busy living their own lives and just hanging with each other.
The second answer is that it will be fast! There won’t be any time to get yourself right; it will happen when you don’t expect it, just like a “thief in the night.”
So the solution to this is to “stay awake” (v. 42) and to “be ready” (v. 44).
Advent is the season of the Lord’s coming. I KNOW we all want to think of it as Christmas, but it isn’t—it’s a season of longing and darkness, of looking for light. I love how it corresponds so exactly to the early dark of the evenings, the long cold nights. (I guess it’s good that I don’t live in Australia or South Africa.) Think how hard it’s been to stay awake right after the time change! That’s what Jesus is telling us to do, though. Peer into the darkness, help each other stay awake, and get ready. Change is coming.
Old Testament: Isaiah 2:1-5
Isaiah was an actual person, possibly three people (maybe more on that later), a prophet in the southern kingdom of Judah. If all of that sounds confusing, stay with me. We will cover things like this little by little. The Lord is gracious in unfolding things, and it would be overwhelming to try to explain everything all at once.
Isaiah prophesied beginning with King Uzziah of Judah, through King Hezekiah. This was a time when Judah watched their brothers in the northern kingdom of Israel eventually fall to the Assyrians. It wasn’t peaceful in Judah much, either. Isaiah came along to proclaim great woe and, eventually, enormous hope to Judah.
Similar to the Gospel reading, the passage immediately before this one in Isaiah tells of the destruction of Jerusalem. Our reading today is her redemption, when people will return—assuring Judah that there is hope even though the desolation will come first. Listen for a familiar line of “beating swords into plowshares,” a foreshadowing of the rule of the Messiah and a time of peace.
Your Bible might note that this is a “Song of Ascents.” Jerusalem is a city on a hill, and the Temple was on a mountain in the city. Every time a person would go to Jerusalem, whether from north or south, they would go “up” to Jerusalem. Pilgrims would make the trip together on foot. Like people of every age, singing a song could make the trip go by more quickly, particularly where the trip was hard. That’s where the “songs of ascent” came from: they are psalms that were sung collectively to get them through the walk.
The English translations lose any rhythm or rhyme that might have helped the pilgrims, and we don’t know what the tune might have been. But it’s interesting to think of these Psalms in particular as bringing groups of people through the tough parts of a walk together.
This psalm is centered on the city of Jerusalem itself. In particular I like the last line: “For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.” Not because you, Jerusalem, are good in yourself, but because it’s evident that the Lord loves you, will we seek your good. And seeking Jerusalem’s good involves praying for her peace. The good of the city starts with peace and security.
New Testament: Romans 13:11-14
Romans was written by the apostle Paul, likely while he was in Corinth. At that time Paul saw a trip to Rome as crucial to spreading the Gospel throughout the world. This letter was meant as both an introduction of himself to churches there and a thorough overview of the Christian faith. This is Paul’s longest and most detailed letter—honestly just diagramming some of his sentences would be a challenge!
Today’s reading is a pretty short passage. Paul spends many preceding paragraphs addressing different aspects of a Christian life: submitting to earthly authorities; loving your neighbor; recognizing the marks of a true Christian. Our passage deals with the “when” of these things: right now!
As Jesus pointed out, we won’t know the appointed hour for His return. But it is imminent. So Paul points out—time is short. Don’t waste it. The time is now.
And similar to Jesus, Paul says it is time “to wake from sleep.” Now! Wake up!
Prayer
Father, thank You for the promises of Jesus, for the promise of His return and Your love. We pray for the cities we live in, that we may live peacably as we wait. Be with us in the waiting; help us to keep watch for Your return. Help us to love each other well as we wait. Amen.
