Devotional thoughts for Tuesday

Tuesday 16. December 2014 

Gaudete: 3. Sunday in Advent 

This is he of whom it is written: »Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.« (Malachi 3,1; Matthew 11,10) 

This is he of whom it is written: »Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.« (Malachi 3,1; Matthew 11,10) 

Jesus said His cousin, John the Baptizer, was the promised messenger spoken of by the Prophet Malachi. John was received, but also ridiculed. The same was true of Jesus: He was received by many in the crowds, but he was ridiculed by the religious and political leaders. Nothing has changed today. It's okay to celebrate Christmas, but you best not emphasize Jesus too much or you will offend people. 

John and Jesus were not afraid to offend people. They called a spade a spade. They held people accountable to their thinking and actions. But they didn't just preach the law and wrath of God. John said the Messiah was in Judah's midst and He had arrived to bring the reign of heaven. Jesus proclaimed He is the reign of heaven in our midst and He preached the gospel of forgiveness, salvation and righteousness that is a gift of grace from God received by faith in Him. 

This is not an easy message to accept. Our sinful nature struggles against it because it puts all the work on God and removes any claim of merit from us. God is completely exalted and we are completely humbled. This is what Advent prepares us for: to acknowledge our sinfulness and need for a savior, and then Christmas delivers that savior in the birth of Jesus in the little town of Bethlehem. 

Prayer: Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created. Give us the faith to behold the majesty of Your presence in simple words, simple water and simple bread and wine, as You draw near to us in the very body and blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.  Amen. (1129; Treasury of Daily Prayer)