ADVENT • 3

Who Exactly is Jesus of Nazareth? And What Has He Come to Do?

SONGS FOR PRAYER

reading for: Tuesday Night, 12 december

John 1:6-8, 19-28 

  • READ

    Scripture Reading: John 1:6-8

    6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

    John 1:19-28

    19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

    24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

    Commentary:

    In verses 6–8, John is introduced as one who is sent by God to bear witness to Jesus, the ‘light of men’. John is the first ‘signpost’ the standard one who first sees the light and it is his role to call attention to it so that others may recognize it and believe, trust, commit and that they themselves can follow the light.

    Likewise, verses 19–28 puts forward for us how John’s role in helping us understand the identity of Jesus. In these verses the religious authorities question John about his identity as they seek to find out the identity of the one John is talking about. The questions of the authorities provide markers for understanding both the identities and the roles of John and Jesus. Interestingly, before the questions begin, John declares that he is not the Messiah they are waiting for. This declaration leads the authorities to ask if he is one of important Old Testament figures foretold in Scripture—Elijah or the prophet —who is to announce the coming of the Messiah. Although John says that he is neither of these figures, his words do signify that he speaks prophetically as “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness” (v. 23)

  • REFLECT

We often thinking of ‘witnessing’ as an activity we perform when we ‘share the gospel’ with others. Here we see John recognizing and ‘beholding’ Jesus with his gaze. John is totally unconcerned for anything else about him, save his role in relation to Jesus – he is only a ‘voice in the wilderness’. This Christmas, amidst the revelries and busyness, can you find time to pause and quietly gaze upon Jesus? Will you take time to consider your role and relationship with regard to Jesus? Who is He to you? Do we approach him with the same humility as John does?

reading for: Wednesday Night, 13 december

Isaiah 61:1-4,8-11

Jesus is the one who brings restoration and victory

  • READ
    Scripture Reading: Isaiah 61:1–11 

    1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. 4 They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. 5 Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks; foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers; 6 but you shall be called the priests of the LORD; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory you shall boast. 7 Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy. 8 For I the LORD love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 Their offspring shall be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are an offspring the LORD has blessed. 10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.

    Commentary

    Isaiah 61 is a promise that the Lord will bring deliverance and restoration to Israel. In the time of Isaiah, Israel was not in a good place, for many were exiled. In the time of Jesus first coming, Israel was not in a good place. Though they lived in the promised land, they were oppressed and under Roman rule. However, the words of Isaiah 61 declares that exile and oppression will not be the last word but deliverance and restoration from their Lord will be the last word.

    Jesus quotes Isaiah 61 explicitly in Luke 4:16-21 and declared that “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing”. What did Jesus mean when he said that this Scripture was fulfilled that day. They were still under Roman rule and being oppressed by the Romans. One might say that they are not free. I believe what Jesus means is that in him is the fulfilment of that Scripture. In him is their restoration and deliverance. Yes, this will take time to play out for Jesus must go to the cross to bring true freedom and deliverance to Israel and all humanity. This victory that Christ has won at the Cross is still being played out right now but surely Jesus will come again to complete the victory that he has already won.

    Isaiah 61 tells us more about the freedom, deliverance, restoration, and victory that Christ has brought, is bringing and will bring. Christ is filled with the Spirit and anointed by the Lord to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives. Jesus is the one to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour and the day of vengeance of God. He brings comfort to those who mourn and helps to build up their ancient ruins. They will receive a double portion and eat the wealth of the nations. Their offspring will be known among the nations, and he will make an everlasting covenant with them.

  • REFLECT

    One can ask why does this matter to me, for I am not an Israelite. Paul declares in Romans 11:17 – 24 that we have been grafted into Israel. We share in the Lord’s promise to Israel. To put it more starkly, we are Israel according to Paul.

    Today, we live in a broken world. Things are happening in Ukraine and the Middle East. We just went through a global pandemic. Let us rest in the victory, deliverance, freedom that Christ has brought, is bringing and will bring. Christ came 2000 years ago, is coming and will come again in glory. Let us celebrate the first coming of Jesus but also wait expectantly for he will come again.

    Perhaps we are in bondage and being oppressed by an obstacle that is before us. Let us look to Christ for deliverance and freedom. For Jesus is the one who brings liberty to the captives.

reading for: Thursday Night, 14 december

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Waiting for the coming of the Lord

  • READ

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

Commentary:

Paul starts 1 Thessalonians 5 with the exhortation that the church of Thessalonica is aware concerning the times and seasons and that they are aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When people say peace and safety, destruction will suddenly come upon them. The day of the Lord will come suddenly. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3)

However, Paul’s point is not for the day to surprise them for they are children of the light. They will not be surprised by this. Instead, they are to keep awake and be sober. They are put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. They are destined to live with him. This is their basis for encouraging one another.  Encouraging one another is because Christ is coming suddenly and as children of the light we must always be prepared. (1 Thessalonian 5:4-12)

Paul then continues with how they are to encourage and build each other up? They are to respect those who labour among them and are over them in the Lord. They are to esteem them highly in love. Paul also calls on them to rejoice always and to pray without ceasing.  They are to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God for them. They are not to quench the Spirit and despise prophecies. They are to test everything and hold fast to what is good. Finally, Paul calls them to abstain from evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-22)

Paul then proceeds to pray a prayer of blessing for them that God will sanctify them completely and their whole spirit, soul and body will be kept blameless at the coming of the Lord. Jesus who calls them is faithful. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

REFLECT

  • Verse 6 to 22 is a list of do and don’ts and it is important to heed these words. It is important to practice the dos, and stay away from the don’ts. However, what is most important is why we live this way. We live this way because we are children of light that are waiting for the coming of the Lord. As children of the light, we are not surprised by his coming, but we are expectant and waiting for his future coming.

    Are we expectant for Jesus to come again? Are we living as children of the light waiting for him to return or are we surprised by his return? Pray to the Lord and ask him to sanctify you completely and that you will be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

reading for: FRIDAY Night, 15 DECEMBER

Psalm 126

Anticipating God’s Restoration in 2024

  • READ

It seemed like a dream, too good to be true,

when God returned Zion’s exiles.

We laughed, we sang,

we couldn’t believe our good fortune.

We were the talk of the nations—

“God was wonderful to them!”

God was wonderful to us;

we are one happy people.

And now, God, do it again—

bring rains to our drought-stricken lives

So those who planted their crops in despair

will shout “Yes!” at the harvest,

So those who went off with heavy hearts

will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing. (The Message)

Commentary

How has 2023 been for you and as you look forward to 2024 what is your overall outlook?

Are you yearning for something to truly rejoice over this Christmas?

Psalm 126 is a Psalm of Ascent, a Psalm which the Israelites would sing and recite as they went up to Jerusalem's temple.

And this Psalm starts with a strange invitation to dream! To dream of the moment when the Lord came to save and restore the fortunes of Zion. The former glory that it once had. (V.1)

That moment of salvation and restoration brought such uncontrollable laughter and shouts of joy. Even foreigners in other nations couldn’t help but recognise God's amazing work (v.2).

Verse 3 functions then like a confirmation, a pause to acknowledge, much like how we would stand in awe of a beautiful sunset or a gorgeous majestic mountain. He truly has done amazing things, what joy, what joy!

Verse 4 then feels like waking up from a wonderful dream back to the harsh reality. Where we are brutally reminded of how things hasn't changed and our hearts, our lives and relationships are as broken before. Yet choosing to acknowledge that it wasn't just a dream, we are invited to pray the dream into reality. To plead and ask God to bring that restoration. To quench our dry and thirsty hearts with streams of water.

To believe that our tears sown and wept is not lost into nothingness. But that our tears sown before God is kept and will one day be turned into shouts of joy (v.5).

This imagery is repeated in verse 6, where farmers in Ancient Israel would cry as they plant their harvest, as it was said to bring forth even more harvest and fruit. And they would sing and rejoice.

  • REFLECT

    On average, seeds sown would take anywhere from several months to several years to grow and bear fruit. Can you imagine crying and tearing for months or years as you plant and water the seeds and seedlings everyday? How would anyone in their right mind be able to do that?

    Only someone who believes in a God who sees and has promised to bring restoration and fruits. Only someone who has experienced, tasted and seen of God's saving hand.

    As God's children we are invited to look and behold Jesus this Advent. The One who is Light, the One who gives Life. The One who saves.

    Can we dream of what God will do in our lives, hearts and situation in 2024? Can we pray and wait on Him to bring forth restoration and fruit?

    Psalm 126 makes that invitation for us.

    Write down your prayers and hopes of restoration for 2024. Or if you prefer, draw a picture of how you would like it to be.

    Then bring it to the Lord in prayer and wait.

Advent, Season of AdventCNL