IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME: ZACHARIAH AND ELIZABETH

 







If you would like to watch a video that includes the Advent Candle Lighting Service, prayers and the reading of the scripture as well as the message, please go to:  https://youtu.be/bffNeFnDPFk

Luke 1:5-25

Advent – something or someone is coming.  Something or someone, in the fullness of time, when the time is right will show up. 

 Advent is called the season of lights – a world waiting in darkness to see a great light.  Light at the end of the tunnel – light symbolizing hope during a trying time. Hope, something we need right now to preserver.

Zechariah and Elizabeth had given up hope, the hope of ever having a child.  Infertility is painful enough, but in the culture of their time, barrenness was an indication that the woman had sinned.  No wonder Luke emphasized to his original reading audience that both Zachariah, a priest, and his wife Elizabeth were righteous people.  That also makes sense of Elizabeth’s declaration at her child’s birth, “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”

When Gabriel appeared to Zachariah and announced that his prayers had been answered, that Elizabeth would conceive a child, the old priest was doubtful.  “No way, can’t be.  I’m too old and Elizabeth is past her child bearing years,” argued Zachariah. 

But at the fullness of time, when the timing is right, miracles take place.  Can we say, “like Abraham and Sarah?”  It was time for the one prophesized by Isaiah, “A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” (Isaiah 40:3). 

John, as the child was to be named, was dedicated from conception to the purposes of God and filled the Holy Spirit.  As an adult, John preached repentance, urging people to turn back to God, preparing their hearts and minds for the coming of, the advent of the Messiah.  As John said, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with[a] the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Luke 3:16)

John’s mission was to point people to Jesus Christ, the light at the end of the tunnel for humanity, the hope of the world, the fulfillment of God’s promise of deliverance from sin and death

Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s unconditional and all-inclusive love for all people.  Through Christ, each person’s humanity, the image of God in which each of us is created, is restored.

 As followers of Christ living in a world that needs to see that light at the end of the tunnel, let us embody hope.

Let hope live in our hearts.  Let us share the hope of Christ with all we meet.  Share hope by noticing someone else’s humanity.
Share hope by listening to someone’s story.  Share hope by praying for our world.  In this Advent season, we need to see, feel, and share hope with all those we meet.

 In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CHRISTIANS AND COFFEE BEANS

Image
1 Peter 1:17-23 John 17:14-19 Potatoes, eggs or coffee beans? Which are Christians called to be? We're going to find out as we explore what it means to be “in the world but not of the world” in today's message, “Christians and Coffee Beans.” Put three pots of water on to boil. When the water begins to boil, put some potatoes in one, eggs in another pot, and coffee beans in the third point. Boil for 20 minutes The potatoes went into the pot hard. After boiling in the hot water, they are now soft, easily broken up and mashed. The eggs, with their fragile shells and soft centers, are also changed. They are now hard-boiled. The coffee beans are different. While they look the same as they did when they were put into the water, they have transformed the water. The water has taken on the smell, taste and color of the coffee Jesus was not of this world, yet he came into the world to redeem the world by his death and resurrection an...
Read more

OATHS -- GONE WITH THE WIND?

Image
Leviticus 19:11-12 Matthew 5:33-37 Even if we've never seen the movie, Gone with the Wind, we're probably familiar with Scarlett O'Hara's oath. Framed by the sunset, Scarlet raises her fist in defiance and says, “As God is my witness, I will never be hungry again!” In today's passage from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus leads us into a new understanding of oaths and profanity. Did the character, Scarlett O’Hara in the movie, Gone with the Wind , take the Lord’s name in vain when she made her famous oath? “As God is my witness, as God is my witness, they’re not going to lick me. I’m going to live through this and when it’s all over, I’ll never be hungry again. No, nor any of my folk. If I have to lie, steal, cheat or kill. As God is my witness, I’ll never be hungry again. Leviticus 19:11-12 tells us not to take oaths, make promises that profane the Lord’s name, that is take the Lord’s name in vain. Scarlett’s oath is a profane ...
Read more

ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER

Image
"...  and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds...  " --  Hebrews 10:24  ( Amplified Bible) "Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing."  -- I Thessalonians 5:11 (NRSV)       To encourage means to:   give support, confidence, or hope to someone; give support and advice to someone to help them do or continue to do something; thelp stiulate development.  Encourage and building each other up go hand in hand.  Here are some ways we can encourage and build each other up which will in turn help us become healthy, thriving churches. 1.  Have high regards, great respect and favorable thoughts for each other. 2.  Be thoughtful and intentional when you speak.  Consider where someone is coming from and choose wisely your words. 3.  Be gracious.  When someone makes a mistake, be quick to forgive...
Read more