Today is the Second Sunday in Advent. The CofE used to have it as Bible
Sunday, but we've transferred that to the last Sunday after Trinity. Now
it's a celebration of the coming of John the Baptist, the Voice crying in
the wilderness.
Isaiah 40:1-11
1. WE HEAR COMFORTABLE WORDS 1-2
a. To the People of God in General: His Saints. 1
God commands His prophets and preachers to comfort His people in bondage in
"Babylon" to Self, Sin, and Satan.
b. To the City of God in Particular: His Church. 2
The capital city so long in ruins was to be rehabilitated, under Nehemiah; but
destroyed again under Titus in 70. "We have here no continuing city, but we
seek one which is to come" (Hebrews 13:14). Now "the inhabitants of Zion",
the Church, can cheer up because:
i) Her warfare is ended.
The victory against "Babylon", the manifestation of evil powers against God
and His City, the Church, has been won by the resurrection of Christ.
ii) Her iniquity is pardoned.
The Penalty for her sins has been fully paid. She has got the Receipt, the
Duplicate, for the full amount (not twice the amount!) by the crucifixion of
Christ. God will never demand that we pay again.
2. WE HEAR CONDITIONAL WORDS 3-8
The condition is that we play our part:
a. By our Preparation for Christ's Advent. 3-5
Our God is coming: not KUROS (Cyrus) but KURIOS (Christ the LORD); not a
political messiah but "the Lord from Heaven" (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Are we
ready to receive Him (Matthew 24:44)?
b. By our Proclamation of Christ's Advent. 6-8
Cry? What shall I cry? Preach the Word! Preach the mortality of the flesh;
the immortality of the Word-made-flesh; the imminence of His Coming. Are we
ready to recommend Him?
3. WE HEAR CONFIRMATORY WORDS 9-11
a. The Gospel Herald is Coming. 9-10
John the Baptist is the Herald of Good Tidings. The Lord GOD is coming to save
us; repent and be forgiven. We are certain of His salvation.
b. The Good Shepherd is Coming. 11
Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd who gives His life for the sheep. He is the
Way, the Truth, the Life, the Door. We are safe in His sheepfold (John
10:28-29).
c. The Great Judge is Coming. 10
The Arm of YHWH, His right hand man, is Jesus Christ: His rule is "for Him".
He brings with Him His Reward for His saints and His Recompense for His
enemies. "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the LORD" (Romans 12:19). We
are sure of His reward.
____________________________________________________________________
In Christ,
Ben
--
Revd Ben Crick BA CF, and Mrs Joanna (Goodwin) Crick
<ben.crick@argonet.co.uk>
232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)
http://www.cnetwork.co.uk/crick.htm
