Advent Reflections 2022

Week 2, Friday December 9

Matthew 23:27-39
 
Vs 37-39
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! Behold, your house is forsaken and desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
 

This lament sounds so much like, O my beloved, my beloved! A calling out and a pleading from God to his children. We know that Jesus was rejected throughout his ministry up to the day he was crucified, just as Israel turned from God over and over again throughout history. Now the ministry of Christ is coming to a close and he will not return until he has been resurrected in glory. This is not a statement of the end; it is a statement of hope! In Verse 39 we read that they will bless Jesus. This is reconciliation!

This broken relationship between God and his people is weaved into the fabric of our faith and finally reconciled through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

And though this specific verse is a direct lament over the religious leaders of Jerusalem in Jesus’ day, perhaps our hearts can respond as well. How dearly the Lord has always longed to gather his children under his mighty wing, how wonderful it will be when we proclaim “blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”!

The love of God is never ending, even in our avoidance and rejection. Christ longs to gather us back to him every time we wander away.

The Kingdom of God, the love and reconciliation of God, is near - let us not miss out!

Week 2, Saturday December 10

Matthew 24:1-14
 
Vs 4-8
And Jesus answered them, “Take heed that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth-pangs.
 

Before traveling, a person must plan and pack. We need to know the climate and weather, the destination and what gear or apparel may be needed. The information we receive is imperative to knowing how and what to pack for the journey. Jesus Christ has given us a Spiritual packing list for the world we will face as Christians waiting for his return.

Jesus does not tell the disciples (or us!) when he will return, but how to live while waiting. He explains what to expect and what to prepare for, revealing how history will unfold and what will come to pass. Jesus has given the gift of knowing what to pack. The climate and weather will be tumultuous, rugged and rife with conflict. There will be distraction and dishonesty, false faith and natural disasters. And this is only the beginning of the journey!

So, what should we pack and prepare?

A steadfast faith, love and charity, reading the scripture, growing in our understanding of the Word of God and hearing his voice in our lives. We pack one spiritual thing at a time, stay focused on the Lord and let the anxiety of the world be rendered back to the world. It is not ours to carry.

What Christ has shown us is the beginning of the birth-pangs; a labor that will bring about the new creation and his final return.

We are living in the time of waiting; the advent of the second coming.