Friday, December 15, 2017
Isaiah 40:6-9 The voice said, "Cry out!" And he said, "What shall I cry?" "All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flowers fades, but the word of our God stands forever." O Zion, You who bring good tidings, get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, lift up your voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid; say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!"
THE PREACHER'S ADVENT MESSAGE: PROCLAIMS "BEHOLD YOUR GOD!"
The weakness and frailty of man is here contrasted with the immortal and enduring Word of our God. In our high tech, digital day, an unbelieving world easily bows down before its own power and achievements. Our Christian calling is to counteract such arrogance with the message that all flesh withers as grass and all its glory fades as do the flowers of the field. Indeed, when all mankind's greatest achievements have faded away as a distant memory, only the teachings of the sacred Word of God shall endure.
Therefore, faithful spokes-persons of the Lord's Church of believers ("Zion" and "Jerusalem") will lift their voices with strength and holy fearlessness. Rather than succumbing to pressures of a scornful world to water down or pollute the Word of God, faithful preachers in the pulpits and faithful believers in the pews will together boldly proclaim loudly and clearly: BEHOLD YOUR GOD!
And who is that God? He is not just some generic god. He is none other than Jehovah-God, the Covenant God. Yes, He is the God who at Christmas-time wonderfully fulfilled all His promises to send His Son, the Savior, on a rescue mission to planet Earth!
Arise, O Christian people! Prepare yourselves today;
Prepare to greet the Savior, Who takes your sins away.
To us by grace alone The truth and light were given
The promised Lord from heaven To all the world is shown.
Prepare my heart, Lord Jesus; Turn not from me aside,
And help me to receive You This blessed Advent-tide.
From stall and manger low Come now to dwell within me;
I'll sing Your praises gladly And forth Your glory show.
(Lutheran Service Book, 354:1, 4)
