Your Christmas tree might be up—we are deep into Christmas Hallmark at my house. But it’s not actually Christmas yet. Don’t forget. This is the season of watching and waiting and darkness just before the light.

Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12

The first two chapters of Matthew cover the early life of Jesus. We have fast-forwarded to Jesus’ ministry, and these verses are the prologue. We meet a character named John, known as “The Baptist” because he’s out in the wilderness baptizing people in the Jordan River. 

We know from other books, but not Matthew, that John was Jesus’ cousin, and they were almost the same age. Mary, when she was newly pregnant, visited her much-older cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth was pregnant with John, and much further along, because upon Mary’s entrance the baby “leapt in Elizabeth’s womb.” 

John went on to be a prophet in the wilderness. Matthew tells us that he engaged in typical prophet behavior: he ate bugs, wore uncomfortable clothes and lived in the wilderness. And he told people off, a lot. Especially the people who considered themselves “in charge,” the Pharisees and Sadducees. 

Historical note: you won’t find the words “Pharisee” and “Sadducee” in the Old Testament. In the approximately 400 years between the end of the Old Testament and Jesus’ birth, Jerusalem was controlled by Persia, Hellenists, and finally Rome. The Temple had been destroyed and rebuilt, but in the meantime the Jews had to figure out how to worship. The Pharisees were the ruling class in Jerusalem, concerned with keeping the laws set forth in the Torah—all 600+ of them! They were legal experts. The Sadducees were less prominent politically but had particular beliefs about God. They are best known for not believing in an afterlife. (Which is why “they are Sad, you see.”) There were other Jewish sects in Jerusalem, but these were the two most well-known.

Also, historical: Jerusalem and the surrounding area were looking for a Messiah. The signs were all there, they thought, and there was a great expectation. John wasn’t the only one saying someone was coming. Other historical accounts of the era, like from Josephus, relate other groups wandering in the wilderness, teaching and preaching. But as we’ll see later, John was the one who was right, and the only one who had the Holy Spirit attend a baptism.

Last week’s lesson was to stay awake. This week’s lesson is to be ready. How? John’s first word is “Repent.” (v. 2) To repent means to recognize the fault of what you are doing, to ask forgiveness, and to STOP doing it. To turn from what you are currently doing, recognizing the problems. 

John also gives us a clue of who to look for. By quoting Isaiah 40:3 in v. 3, he tells us to go back and see what Isaiah says to look for.

So, first, be ready. Second, examine your life and stop doing the things that are keeping you from readiness. And here’s a clue.

Old Testament: Isaiah 11:1-10

The chapters of Isaiah that precede this reading foretell the destruction of the nations surrounding Judah. I think it’s important to note: they aren’t condemned for not submitting to Judah. They are condemned for not recognizing Judah’s special status as beloved by God. They are also condemned for their own wickedness, including trying to dominate and defeat Judah. They could have left well enough alone but they did not. Isaiah doesn’t let Judah off the hook. Judah is also condemned.

Chapter 11, though, tells of how Jerusalem will be redeemed. Isaiah tells us who to look for: someone from the “stump of Jesse.” Jesse was David’s father—the David of the Psalms and Israel’s great king. He will bring peace, so much peace that even the animals will behave with each other. He’ll turn lions into vegans, for goodness’ sake! 

John tells us how to behave while we wait, and who to look for. Isaiah tells us more, narrowing the field of Messiah. Watch!

Psalm 72:1-7, 18, 19

Here is another Psalm of David. Isn’t it interesting how many of King David’s psalms acknowledge a greater king than he is, someone else who is coming? I think that says something about David’s heart.

Listen as David tells us what this king will be like. We know he is coming—here’s what to look for.

New Testament: Romans 15:4-13

This is more of Paul’s long letter. It opens with such a great verse to remember as you read any part of the Old or New Testament:

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures WE MIGHT HAVE HOPE.

Friends, all of the Scriptures are for us, that we might have hope. I hope you remember that as you read the lectionary each week, as you read your own Bible, as you listen to the words in the worship service. WE HAVE HOPE.

And further, that hope extends to the whole world. Now Paul was raised to become, and was, a Pharisee. He was one of the elite. He had no use at all for Gentiles until Jesus, and was a participant in the martyring of St. Stephen. Now he connects Jesus to the entire world using the words of the Hebrew Scriptures! He quotes Psalm 18:49, Deuteronomy 32:43, Psalm 117:1 and Isaiah 11:10 (yes, today’s reading) to demonstrate that Jesus wasn’t just for the Jews, and God isn’t, either.

We have HOPE through the Scriptures, and we are to watch and wait and be ready.

Prayer:

Father, You are so good to us! Thank You for the gift of Jesus in this season of watching and waiting. We acknowledge how we haven’t measured up. Forgive us. Thank You for the hope you give us through the words fo the Bible, and thank You most of all for the Hope You give us through Jesus, Your son. Amen.

Have a great week!