The Root and Branch of Jesse

The text for our meditation on God’s Holy Word is the Old Testament lesson appointed for the second week of Advent. I bring you grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hope is the theological virtue of looking forward to the future with a confident expectation that heaven and eternal life are still to come for us as the children of God. It is the firm conviction that—come what may—God is for us and will bring us to himself.

This hope we have as Christians is based upon the promises of God. The Bible says that we are to “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Hope is meant by God to be his cure for discouragement, depression and despair. And yet all of us are tempted this way at times. Why is that?

It is because we have based our confidence about the future upon things that we can see and touch and experience. We put our hope in a retirement plan or social security only to see them face insolvency. We put our hope in vitamins and check-ups and healthy eating only to face an incurable disease. We put our hope in our nation’s might and power only to discover that it can’t really protect us from the evil in the world.

In hope that is misplaced -comes discouragement, depression, and despair. That is what the people of Isaiah’s day were facing. God raised up the Assyrians to chastise his people and punish them for their sinful disobedience. Despite their confidence in wealth and military might and strategic alliances—the northern kingdom fell. 140 years later the southern kingdom fell to the Babylonians and the city of Jerusalem was destroyed. The dynasty of Davidic kings came to an end.

Isaiah was called by God to prophesy in those days—to warn Judah about what was to come in God’s judgment-- but also to comfort them with the good news that judgment was not God’s last Word—but that even from the midst of ruins—God was able to bring blessings. Those blessings were still in the future—but they were so certain and sure that the people of God could hope even in the midst of dark days.

Isaiah’s words still have that same purpose—to give God’s people hope—and even more so for us than them--because we know many of his promises to be fulfilled. And so tonight, as we listen to God’s prophet speak of the Root and Branch of Jesse, we can set aside doubt, despair, and depression and look forward to the future with hope. Isaiah prophesied:

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.

Very few things look as hopeless and desolate as a clear-cut forest—to see a place that was filled with towering plant life turned into stumps and mud-- is just heart-breaking and thankfully it’s a lumbering practice largely abandoned in our country.

But that’s how things looked in Isaiah’s day. Those giants that God raised up in David and Solomon and their offspring no longer ruled God’s people. Instead, Israel was ruled by wicked men-- and Judah was ruled by men who tried to have it both ways when it came to God and their pagan neighbors. None of them inspired hope in God’s people.

But Isaiah promised that from the desolation that was the Davidic line brought low, God would raise up new life—a shoot from the stump of Jesse (David’s father) who would be anointed with the Spirit—and he would rule with justice and restore creation and redeem the world.

700 long years later, in the city of Bethlehem where David was born to Jesse, two descendants of David, Joseph and Mary, delivered a baby named Jesus—the virgin-born fulfillment of that promise of Isaiah made long before—the one upon whom the Spirit of God would rest. Isaiah promised:

The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

We know very little of Jesus’ life until he was thirty years old when he was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River and the Spirit came to rest upon him in the form of a dove and the voice of God from the heavens declared: “You are my beloved Son. With you I am well pleased.” Throughout his earthly life he was led and guided by the Holy Spirit life as no one before or since. He said of himself: “The spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim Good News.” He conducted his ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit.

And not only was he anointed with the Holy Spirit for his work as Messiah, he was the giver of the Holy Spirit to all who trusted in him. John the Baptist told the crowds that Jesus was the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. Jesus breathed on his chosen twelve and gave them the Holy Spirit. At his ascension, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit upon the whole church.

The only cure for the spirit of discouragement, depression, and despair that threatens to destroy hope in us-- is to know Jesus Christ- and be filled with the Holy Spirit- and receive his gifts of wisdom and understanding and counsel and might and knowledge and the fear of the Lord. These are the spiritual gifts that help us to live in hope towards the future and in holy obedience to the Lord’s rule here and now. Isaiah said:

He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

Last week we talked about how in the Advent season we hear promises from God’s Word that are “even now and not yet”—that is, there were promises fulfilled when Jesus came the first time and their will be promises fulfilled when he comes again—but all of them ultimately fulfilled in Jesus.

That is what we have here in these verses. When Jesus comes again in glory he will judge the living and the dead. The earthly injustice, inequality, and animosity that robs us of hope-- will be dealt with. All people who have ever lived will undergo this final judgment. There will be no hiding the truth about ourselves from others or from Jesus-- for what is true about us in the deepest recesses of our hearts will be laid bare.

Those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb—who are clothed in his perfect righteousness—will be commended for the good they have done while on earth and enter into eternal life. But those who never had a part in the Savior’s life—those who tried to cover their sin under a cloak of self-righteousness-- will be shown for the wicked people they really were in God’s sight and given over to eternal death.

That judgment is still to come. But in a very real way every person who lives on this earth is already judged and it has been that way going back to the Messiah’s birth. The wise men and shepherds worshiped him and were right in God's sight. Herod tried to kill him and was guilty in God’s sight. During his earthly ministry many came to him in faith and were right in God's sight. But many of the religious leaders and Pontius Pilate rejected him and remained in their sin.

So it still is today. Those who believe in Jesus are innocent in God’s sight—those who don’t, are guilty and remain in their sin. Jesus is the absolute dividing line—the measure of judgment—between those who are innocent and those who are guilty.

The only difference between today --and judgment day-- is that this day is a day of God’s grace when the guilty still have an opportunity to forsake their sins and receive God’s forgiveness in Jesus and live with him in everlasting peace. Isaiah prophesied about that day when evil comes to an end:

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

The scene that we have here is one of those Messianic blessings that is still in the future---the restoration of God’s good creation which has been destroyed by sin.

A couple of weeks ago in the adult bible class we had a question about why our physical resurrection matters since our soul goes to heaven when we die. It was a good question and the answer is that God created us with bodies and souls—he created a world where mankind and nature were in perfect harmony—a world in which there was not death at all. That is what Jesus came into the world to redeem and restore and renew.

His own resurrection from the dead is the beginning of that—the first-fruits of a harvest of life that will follow—not just in mankind but in all creation. Death is not the end for us and destruction is not the end of the world—we will rise from our graves and there will be a new heaven and a new earth—all of it unaffected by the sin, death, and devil that destroyed it—because the knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth.

Standing in the midst of a redeemed humanity and a renewed creation will be the root of Jesse. The Bible says:

In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.

I don’t know if you caught it or not, but we began our meditation on God’s Word talking about a branch from Jesse’s root—a fresh, new shoot. But we conclude our meditation tonight hearing that this new branch is actually the root. How can this be?

It is because this shoot is not just the Son of David—he is also the Son of God. The angel Gabriel told Mary: He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David. The Old Testament prophets knew this about the Messiah as well. Isaiah promised that he would be a virgin-born child but he also called him the Ancient of Days.

The Branch and Root of Jesse is Jesus—David’s Son and God’s Son—the God-in flesh-redeemer of the world who has ascended to heaven to prepare a glorious resting place for his people and will come again to take them there. That is the promise of God and in the light of that glorious promise discouragement, depression, and despair must give way to hope.

But it also calls us to action right here and now—it gives us a purpose until Jesus comes again. Jesus Christ was sent by the Father to be a "signal" for all people—a rallying point that people from every nation, language, tribe, and culture can come to and take their own place in his glorious presence.

And so the Lord calls us to make Jesus known in word and deed to a world around us that is still held captive in darkness and death. That is our mission as a congregation—that is our purpose in life as individuals—and when we are about the Lord’s business—there is simply no place for discouragement, depression, and despair. Resting on his promises--active in his kingdom--may God grant us the gift of hope that looks forward with confidence to the future! Amen.

And now may the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.

Rev. Franke's Theme Thoughts

THE SUNDAYS IN ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS
Series A, Advent 3

Lessons for The Third Sunday in Advent

Isaiah 35:1-10 ~ The joy of God’s people in the Kingdom is like a desert celebrating rain.
Psalm 146 (antiphon v. 5)
James 5:7-11 ~ As a farmer waits patiently for harvest, we await the fulfilment of the Kingdom.
Matthew 11:2-15 ~ Jesus pointed to Kingdom signs fulfilled, as He encouraged John’s disciples.

GATHERING THE TEXTS: God's Gift of Joy to the World
Joy is the mark of the Kingdom of Heaven. Isaiah expressed it in terms of a desert blooming exuberantly after a spring shower. James described the patient waiting of a farmer who needs the autumn and spring rains to harvest a crop. When John's disciples asked about Jesus' identity, they were referred to the witness of Jesus' deeds -- and the joy of those who received His care in their suffering. The message of joy to the world that the shepherds heard is fulfilled in Jesus.

A PRAYER BEFORE THE SERVICE: Lord, stir up my heart by Your presence in my life so that I may rejoice in the birth of Christ my Savior. Keep me ready to welcome Him at all times; help me live joyfully in the expectation of His coming again. Amen.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT: Just as a desert celebrates new rain with the bursting of fresh life, so God rejoices in the fruit produced by the power of His Spirit in the lives of those who welcome the kingdom with joy and respond to the poor, the lame, the blind, and the dispossessed with Christ’s compassion.

OFFERING PRAYER: Lord, joyfully we celebrate the kingdom of Your grace;
And patiently we wait to see the glory of Your face.
Now put our hands to service in whatever ways You choose,
And use these gifts to help proclaim Your gracious kingdom news.


CONVICTION AND COMFORT: We miss the signs of God’s Kingdom when we look for power, glory, and political influence. We lose the joy of the Kingdom when we are impatient for its fulfillment. We are either offended or delighted by Christ’s work among the blind, the lame, the poor, and the deaf. If we see ourselves as the ones who need Christ’s redeeming power, we will be joyfully refreshed like a desert by new rain.

This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening fellow redeemed!

Hope, that's the fundamental theme in today's Epistle. The God of hope, the God who gives hope, by the Holy Spirit gives super abundant hope.

As I pondered that theme this afternoon, it dawned on me that this world is full of hopes. Some of the hopes of this world never materialize, some are dashed on the rocks of uncertainty. Some hopes of this world are so dependent on personalities that, when the personality moves away or is gone for another reason, the hope fades into oblivion. All of these hopes die because the this world is dying.

What separates hope in Christ from the hopes of this world is a Savior, a divine Deliverer, who has gone through death into life. The hope of the resurrection to life everlasting in Christ is a certainty because Christ has risen from the dead. The hope of Christ's return to take us to Himself at the end of time is a sure thing because we await not a dead teacher, but one who has gone through death into life and will return to bring His people through the same.

In this Advent season, as we barrel toward the celebration of Christ's first advent to suffer and die for sinners, we also look forward, we hope in the resurrection at the second advent of our Lord Christ. This is a needed message for a dying world that is routinely disappointed by shattered hopes.

Holy Lord God, You sent Your Son to become flesh in His first advent, to suffer and to die as the atoning sacrifice for sinners. We thank You for the assurance of sins forgiven in Him. And, with His promise of appearing in glory, we have been give the hope of our own resurrection at His second advent. By Your Holy Spirit, strengthen our faith and fill us with Your super abundant hope, that this hope may overflow to those around us. In Jesus' holy name. Amen

The season of Advent began as a preparatory season before Christmas, quite possibly one of the latest addition to the Church year. As Lent is a preparatory fast before Easter, so Advent is a preparatory fast before the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus. Unfortunately, the modern Christmas celebration has become so crowded with activities that preparation for the celebration of our Savior's birth, to become sin for us, to suffer and die for sinners. I encourage all of us to rediscover the preparatory fasts of Advent, to see ourselves as sinners in need of repentance, and to look forward to the birth of our Lord not just for the sake of festivities, but because we long to see our Lord Christ, our Savior.

Earlier this afternoon, I was privileged to participate with children from Mt. Olive rehearsing for the annual Christmas program. We were accompanied by four Sunday School teachers who helped move things along (and keep me on task). I say this every year, but this year's program focusing on the prophecies leading up to Christmas will be a great proclamation of the Christmas Gospel. I do have one favor from the participants: May we begin rehearsal at 1 p.m.?

This week at Mt. Olive we continue the Advent Midweek Service, focusing on the Old Testament prophecies of Christ.

This coming Saturday, the Altar Guild will be leading decorating the sanctuary for Christmas. Many hands are needed, as well as hands of people who have some height. The party begins at 9 a.m.

Next Sunday, December 12, is a Voters Meeting Sunday. Voters are needed in order to vote on the 2011 budget, as well as two Synod constitutional amendments. The schedule is:
9:30 a.m. Divine Service
10:30 a.m. Sunday School
Voters Meeting
11:30 a.m. Meal

The LWML also is sponsoring a bake sale this coming Sunday.

Finally, a couple of fellowship opportunities are available next week, both on Tuesday.
The LWML Christmas dinner at Frank's Spaghetti House begins at 6:30 p.m.
The Corpus Christi Christmas Bicycle Ride will begin assembling between 6 and 6:30 p.m. The ride is about 6 miles long. I encourage folks to think about providing riders with a bottle of water, which will means about 7 or so cases of water (we've already received one).

Prayer Concerns:
Those who serve in our armed forces and their families: Rob Vadney (Afghanistan), Richard Rhode (North Carolina), Dru Blanc, John Sorensen, Ryan Radtke (Corpus Christi)
The Church throughout the world as she observes the fast of Advent
The Altar Guild of Mt. Olive and the altar guilds of our sister congregations during this season - lots of tireless work
The children and teachers who present the Christmas program

This Week at Mt. Olive
Monday, December 6
6 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics

Tuesday, December 7
7:30 p.m.
Young Adult Bible Study (Barnes and Noble)

Wednesday, December 8
8:30 a.m.
School Chapel

9:30 a.m.
Bible Study (Deuteronomy)

12:15 p.m.
Advent Midday Prayer

6 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal
Zumba

7:15 p.m.
Advent Vespers

Saturday, December 11
9 a.m.
Christmas Decorating at Church

Sunday, December 12
9:30 a.m.
Divine Service

10:30 a.m.
Sunday School
Voters Meeting

11:30 a.m.
Meal

12 p.m.
Confirmation Instruction

1 p.m. ??
Christmas Program Rehearsal

God bless!
PKJ

Listen To John's Advent Message!

The text for our meditation on God’s Holy Word is the Gospel lesson appointed for the second Sunday of Advent. Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Preach the Word! That is the motto of our Ft. Wayne seminary and it is the solemn charge from Almighty God that has been given to every prophet, apostle, pastor and teacher of the church for thousands upon thousands of years. Preach the Word! That is what John was doing in the wilderness along the Jordan River. The Bible says that:

“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

The word that we translate as “preach” had a special meaning for the people of the ancient world. It described the work of a herald, a member of the royal court, whose duty it was to go before the King when he took a journey and announce his arrival and make sure that all was prepared and ready in each every place to receive the royal guest.

That was the task of John the Baptist–the herald of the Messiah–the one spoken of by the prophet Isaiah who would announce the much anticipated arrival of the Savior of the world–the one whose duty it was to prepare the way for Jesus in every human heart–not by mere cosmetic changes to the outside-- but by changing human hearts through the preaching of the Word.

When Isaiah spoke of the work of this herald who would prepare the way for the king he said this: “Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, and the rugged places a plain.” In ancient times, when a king came to visit his people, there was to be no physical impediment that barred his way–his herald was to make sure that there was a straight path leading from the king to his people.

That was hard work in those day before dozers, graders, and front-end loaders to change the physical landscape in such dramatic way--but the work of the Messiah’s herald, John the Baptist, was harder still. He was charged by God to prepare the world for the arrival of its king by changing human hearts.

This of course is only a work that the Holy Spirit can do-- but he does it through his word and those who preach it-- and John’s message was the heart of simplicity: repent. Repent. As simple as that word is to say, it is the most difficult thing in the world to do. To repent means to have a change of heart and mind and direction: to stop thinking and believing and living one way-- and start thinking and believing and living in a brand new way.

Then and now, John’s message to repent means that those mountains of pride and self-reliance in our lives will have to brought low–that we recognize that in God’s sight and according to the measure of his holy law that we are sinners who deserve only his condemnation.

To repent means that the low, valleys places of doubt and despair and cynicism and faithlessness that fill our hearts will have to be lifted up–that these attitudes that destroy hope in ourselves and those around us will have to be confessed as what they are: a lack of faith in the goodness and power of God to accomplish his perfect will in our lives.

To repent means that the rough places of selfishness and impatience and anger will have to be smoothed out by selflessness, patience, and gentleness.

To repent means to stop going in the crooked, sinful direction that we find ourselves in so often in our lives and to go in a new direction–towards God. This is not our natural inclination.

When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, they ran away from God. They knew God was righteous and holy and powerful and they knew that they were disobedient and sinful and naked and so were afraid of God. It’s been that way ever since.

But their sin made them forget the most important thing of all about God–that he is loving and merciful and forgiving—that he wants to be reconciled to sinners. In gracious love, God sought them out, removed the pitiful, insufficient coverings they had made for themselves, and covered their shame through a bloody sacrifice of his own making so that their life with him could be restored.

What God did for Adam and Eve all the way back in the Garden of Eden was a promise of what was to come for all humanity when Jesus died on the cross and rose again. The kingdom of heaven was drawing near. Sin would be atoned for. Death would give way to life. God himself was coming to his people. Repentance was needed.

The false piety and frail good works that we hide our shameful sin behind has to be removed through repentance–and that’s frightening–it make us feel ashamed of our sins all over again. But God calls us to repentance, not to shame us, but to cover our sin with the covering he provides.

John knew that moment had come with Jesus. He said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” John knew that the kingdom of God was near and he took to heart his own message to repent and believe-- and his life was different because of it. The Bible says that: “John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.”

These details are not just interesting food and fashion notes from the first century A.D. They show the radical, life-changing implications of the arrival of the king. Food and clothing and all the other earthly things that we focus our attention on, and live our lives for, have to be cast in a new perspective and take on a different priority in our lives.

John’s life -and lifestyle- was dramatically different than those around him, foreshadowing of the words of the Messiah who said: “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?”

The kingdom of heaven and its king would be unlike anything or anyone that had come before. The values and priorities of the world would be turned upside down and spiritual things would take precedence over material things–eternal things over the things of this dying world. And so every aspect of John’s life was changed–even simple things like food and clothing were changed-as a reflection of his changed heart.

But it wasn’t that way for everyone. Everyone didn’t repent. Then as now, there were many more people who were satisfied with the status quo in the kingdom of this world than there were those who would enter the kingdom of heaven through repentance and faith. The Bible says that:

When John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.

We don’t know what the reaction of the crowd was to these words but it must have been dramatic. Later in Jesus’ ministry when the people heard that if there was any chance for them to enter the Kingdom of heaven their righteousness would have to exceed that of the Pharisees they were amazed and wondered if anyone could be saved—and here John calls them a brood of vipers.

These spiritual leaders of the Jews were supposed to be teachers of God’s people who would pass on to each generation the truth about God revealed to Abraham: that salvation would be by God’s grace alone–through faith alone–in the Messiah alone. But because the leaders had forgotten that Good News–so had many of God’s people.

The ancient Israelite religion, through its temple worship and sacrifices, had focused on the deadly effects of sin and the need for a bloody atonement. But in John’s day it had degenerated into the a system of laws for the Pharisees and dead traditionalism for the Sadducees–none of it sufficient for salvation–all of it a deception as old as the serpent’s lie in the Garden of Eden–that humanity could have God on their own terms.

That is why John calls them a “brood of vipers”. Their lies and false teaching came forth from the same satanic place as the serpent in the garden and was just as deadly.

John’s words are just as true today as they were there on the banks of the Jordan River that day. It is not enough to come from a long line of Lutheran Christians–it is not enough that your family was one of the founding members of this congregation-it is not enough that you are the pastor or an elder or important person in this community–it is not enough that your parents or spouse are devout believers. If you are to be saved, you must believe for yourself John’s Advent message of repentance and faith in Jesus.

That saving faith is not just a matter of words that we say-- or religious acts that we engage in–it is a new way of thinking and believing that turns into a new way of living so that we show forth in our lives what we say that we believe in our hearts.
Today is the day for us to listen to John’s Advent message and repent of our sin and trust in the Lamb of God who takes away our sins. Time is short. The king is coming. Judgment is at hand. John said that:

Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

These are frightening images to be sure. We are reminded of the shortness of time–that God’s judgment is closer than it has ever been–we hear of the terrible consequences of failing to heed his warning–that the unrepentant and unproductive will be burned with unquenchable fire.

But we are also reminded of the wonderful promise that God will gather to himself that which is his.

The Good News for us today is that the Word of God has been planted in our hearts through baptism and the preaching. Believing in Jesus, we have died with him and been raised with him. The Bible assures us that “God has chosen to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all he created” and that “we have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God.”

God intends for that Word that is planted in us- that word which has brought us to saving faith- would produce an abundant harvest of good works right here and now. The Holy Spirit works in our lives today to accomplish this. Today we come to the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood totally undeserving of so great a gift. We, like John the Baptist, are not worthy to carry the Lord’s sandals. And yet the king condescends to come to us in a way that we can receive him and become a part of his life --and his life, become a part of ours.

And so, heeding John's Advent message to repent of our sins and believe in Jesus, we come to the Sacrament in sorrow over ours sins and sincere trust in our Savior-- and in true humility receive our Advent King. Amen.

And now may the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.

A Promise of Peace

The text for our meditation on God’s Holy Word is the Old Testament Lesson appointed for the first Sunday of Advent. Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

We live in a world that is anything but peaceful. Our soldiers continue to die in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Korean Peninsula is on the brink of war. Iran could be attacked at any moment in an effort to destroy its nuclear capabilities. And the Mexican state just to the south of us is controlled by a violent drug cartel. Almost every nation on earth has military personnel involved in some kind of armed conflict somewhere in the world.

This kind of violent, warring world is nothing new. It was the kind of world that the people of Isaiah’s day lived in as well. Assyrians and Babylonians fought for domination in the Middle East-- and the people of God were caught in the middle.

It was in the midst of this warring madness that the prophet Isaiah proclaimed that a time of peace would come when “The Lord shall judge between the nations and settle disputes for many peoples.” A time of peace when peoples and nations “will beat their swords into plowshares and the spears into pruning hooks.” A time of peace when warfare would come to an end and “nation shall not lift sword against nation neither shall they learn war anymore.”

This promise of peace must have seemed too good to be true to the people of Isaiah’s day–I know it seems that way for us. We live in a world that is so steeped in violence that it is hard to imagine what true and lasting peace will look like. But the Lord promised that day of peace would come through his Messiah—that he would be the Prince of Peace. At his birth the angels proclaimed peace on earth and good will towards men.

But here we are tonight with the news headlines reminding us that much of our world is at war. So was Isaiah wrong? Had he misheard the Lord? Were the angels mistaken in their proclamation at Bethlehem? Has God failed to make good on his promises of peace through the Messiah? No! God is faithful and always keeps his Word!

Still, we have to admit that there is a seeming disconnect between the Lord’s promise of peace-- and its fulfillment as we experience it at this moment in time. We will face this tension not only tonight, but over the next several weeks as we hear the prophet Isaiah proclaim the blessings that come with the Advent of the Messiah.

How do we resolve this tension between what God promised through his Messiah and what we experience in our lives right now?

At least part of the answer is that the prophets of God were looking far into the future. When they spoke of the person and work of the Messiah, they saw what would take place at his first coming and what would occur at his second coming.

And so they portray Jesus as suffering and weak–but also as mighty and strong. They saw him as the Virgin Born child and the ancient of days. They told of his death on the cross and his judgment of the world as the living King. All of it, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was as present to them as the events of their own day–all of it equally true–some of it accomplished at our Lord’s first coming--some of it to be accomplished when he comes again.

As we look at the words of the prophet Isaiah over these next three weeks, we will get a complete picture of the work of the Messiah–what he did in his first Advent as the Babe of Bethlehem and Man of the cross and what he will do in his second Advent as the returning King who comes to judge the living and the dead.

We will hear what this means for us and for our lives as the people of God who live in this “in-between-time” as we celebrate his birth and wait for his return. Isaiah said:

“It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it.”

The last days of which Isaiah prophesied began with the coming of the Son of Man into the human flesh of a newborn baby. The writer to the Hebrews says that “in many and various ways God spoke to his people of old but now IN THESE LAST DAYS he has spoken to us by his Son.” These are the last days of which Isaiah prophesies–these are the last days in which God promised that the people of the world stream into the Lord’s house. But what is the “house” of which Isaiah prophesied?

It is not a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem or a renewed Levitical priesthood as the false prophets of our day proclaim. Instead, the Bible tells us that the house of God is the Body of Christ–the holy Christian church. Paul says that:

We are no longer strangers and aliens, but we are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him we also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Wherever two or three Christians gather together in the name and remembrance of Jesus Christ, there is, in that place, is the house of the Lord—the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit—where the message is heard that shapes believers into a spiritual dwelling place for God:

“Jesus Christ was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life or our justification. Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

A renewed and right relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ is the promise of peace that has made us a part of the house of God and it is our proclamation to this warring world. Peace with God is what the Messiah of God came to give in his first Advent.

When it comes to peace, the world focuses its hope on peace accords and cease fire agreements-- but fails to recognize that there is no foundation for peace apart from the peace with God won by the Messiah in his death on the cross and resurrection from the dead.

They fail to realize that all warfare and bloodshed is finally, and in the end, a reflection of the warfare between God and humanity over sin. And because they do not know and believe that the warfare between God and man has been brought to an end through the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, they have no way to be reconciled and at peace with one another.

But wherever that Good News of peace with God through faith in Jesus has gone out and been proclaimed and believed, people have flocked to the house of God which is the Church and abandoned their warring ways. Isaiah promised that it would be this way. He said:

“Many peoples will come and say, ‘Come let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths’. For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

We see how true Isaiah’s prophecy was as we view the church today filled with people from every tribe, language, nation, and culture–people like us who know the Prince of Peace and what it is to be at peace with God–people like us who know that our sins are forgiven and that we are loved with an everlasting love–people like us who know the peace of God which passes all understanding–a peace that can even transcend violence and warfare and death.

But we also see in the world around us the consequences of those who do not know the Messiah as the Prince of Peace–who turn away from the peace he gives and prefer to follow the prince of this world in lives of hatred and violence. We see it in racial discord and in broken homes and destroyed families. We see it in a culture that calls violence “entertainment” and we see it in wars around the world.

This culture of death exists in direct opposition to the will of God who wants his world and his people to be at peace. And so these days of violence and hatred and warfare will be brought to an end once and for all at the return of the Prince of Peace.

On that day of our Lord’s return in glory, those who were unwilling to be reconciled to God--those who were unwilling to let the peace treaty signed with the blood of Jesus at Calvary be their peace-- those who promoted violence and death-- will face the Son of Man’s righteous judgment. Isaiah promises that the Lord will:

“Judge between the nations and shall settle disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”

At the second advent of Jesus as judge of the living and the dead, the culture of death in which we are forced to live as aliens and strangers will come to an end. The way of war will be no more. Instruments of death will be turned into implements of life. And those who are unwilling to have peace with God- will be punished by God- so that we who are reconciled to him through Jesus can live in peace with one another.

Living in the hope of that day of eternal peace, we are called to manifest its realities in this day by living lives of peace. Those who have come to the mountain of the Lord’s temple to be saved become different people–we lose our warring ways—and God teaches us his ways so that we can learn to walk in his paths.

Just like our Savior, the Prince of Peace, we live as peacemakers in a world that is broken by violence and hatred. Jesus assures us that ‘blessed are the peacemakers” and Paul says that “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

Knowing that peace is the way of life for all those who have been saved by the Prince of Peace, what does this mean for our day-to-day lives as we await our Lord’s return? That’s what Isaiah is talking about when he says: “Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord”. What does it mean for us who live in God’s peace?

1. For one thing, it means that we never use violence in our personal relationships. 2. It means that we value and protect all human life–especially that which is weakest and lest valued by the world. 3. Living as followers of the Prince of Peace means that we let the Lord settle our disputes with one another through his Word-- and where the Word is silent we yield in love to those around us. 4. And living in the Lord’s peace, means that we work and struggle and sacrifice to bring about peace and justice for all people.

Advent is a waiting time—but it is not an idle time. We wait for the fullness of the salvation that God has promised at the return of his Son and that includes the final peace he comes to give. But we do not have to wait to live out the realities of that day, and that promised peace, in our own lives. In fact, we must not wait. We can begin tonight to walk in the light of the Lord and bring the peace of Christ to bear on all our relationships. Amen.

And now may the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.

Rev. Franke's Theme Thoughts

THE SUNDAYS IN ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS
Series A, Advent 2

Lessons for The Second Sunday in Advent

Isaiah 11:1–10 ~ A branch from Jesse’s line will usher in the age of God’s righteousness.
Psalm 72:1–7 (ant. v. 18)
Romans 15:4–13 ~ Even the nations will hope in Jesus, the root of Jesse and the hope of Israel.
Matthew 3:1–12 ~ John’s call to repentance brought hope that God’s kingdom was coming.

GATHERING THE TEXTS: God's Commitment to Hope
With God's people in captivity in Babylon, Isaiah held before them the hope of restoration to Jerusalem with peace and security. Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, the Root of Jesse, who rules over the nations and draws Jew and Gentile into his Church. Because the Kingdom of Heaven was appearing in Jesus, John urged people to prepare for the Messiah’s coming by committing their lives to Him and showing their commitment through righteous living.

A PRAYER BEFORE THE SERVICE: Lord, stir up my heart with your grace so that I may live confidently in the hope you have given me through the promise of Christ's kingdom. Keep me ready to welcome him at all times so that I may live faithfully in the fellowship of your holy people. Amen.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT: John’s call summons us to use our resources to further the reign of Jesus’ righteousness in this world. When we can hear him over the din of our own expectations, we will be instruments of God’s hope.

OFFERING PRAYER: Lord, make us instruments of hope to thwart despair.
Turn us away from goals that hurt Your kingdom.
Use us and all these gifts to show the world You care
As all your faithful people wait Your time to come.

CONVICTION AND COMFORT: Our plans and expectations in this world often cover up the hope of God’s kingdom. While God judges the poor and the oppressed with the word of his righteousness, we evaluate our situation with what appears good to us or what sounds like it makes good sense. John calls us to repentance and summons us to enlist in the one people of God, where He works righteousness through Jesus the Christ, the hope of Israel and the redemption of the nations.

This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening, fellow redeemed!

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! It's often thought odd that we read the Palm Sunday account from the Gospels on the First Sunday in Advent. But, it's important for our understanding of Christ's first advent that we hear that reading. This is the record of the King of God's people Israel coming to His Kingdom. Our Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem to claim His crown at the cross.

In this Advent season, we look back to the first advent, but we look forward to our Lord's second advent, when the King comes to claim His kingdom in glory. In faith, this is the day we long to see!

Today we had the first Christmas program rehearsal. Though some will be joining us next Sunday, several young people joined us today, reading handily as we prepare to tell of the birth of our Lord Jesus yet once more. I thank God for the helpful adults who were in attendance - your participation is and remains really important, both to the kids and to me.

Copies of the 2011 budget were made available today. If you did not receive one, copies are on the Narthex table. Please make it a point to peruse the budget so that we'll be prepared to act on it December 12.

That bring up another item: December 12 is a Voters Meeting Sunday. The schedule is: 9:30 a.m. - Divine Service; 10:30 a.m. - Sunday School, Voters meeting; 11:30 a.m. - Meal; 12 p.m. - Confirmation Instruction; 1:30 p.m. - Christmas program rehearsal

Advent Midweek Services begin this week, 12:15 p.m. Midday Prayer, and 7:15 p.m. Vespers.

Finally, the annual Christmas Bicycle Ride will begin at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church this year at 6:30 p.m. on December 14. In speaking with the organizer the other day, he's hoping to have 150 riders. Hopefully, they'll have television coverage again this year. If possible, I'd like to get about 8 or 9 cases of bottle water to give to the cyclists for the ride.

Prayer Concerns:
Kim Kots' father who was hospitalized today
Emma Wright, recovering from surgery last week
Those who serve in our armed forces and their families: Rob Vadney (Afghanistan), Richard Rhode (North Carolina), John Sorensen, Dru Blanc, Ryan Radtke (Corpus Christi)
The Church throughout the world as she enters the holy season of Advent

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, November 29
6 p.m.
Zumba

Tuesday, November 30
7:30 p.m.
Young Adult Bible Study at Barnes and Noble (Colossians)

Wednesday, December 1
8:30 a.m.
School Chapel

9:30 a.m.
Bible Study

12;15 p.m.
Advent Midday Prayer

6 p.m.
Zumba
Choir

7:15 p.m.
Advent Vespers

God bless!
PKJ