Preparing for Worship - December 4, 2022

The Advent season continues this week, with prophecies of the coming of Christ for the sake of all people, both Jews and non-Jews. The psalm is Psalm 72:1-7. Solomon was a great Old Testament king in many ways, but this psalm predicts Jesus, a King “greater than Solomon” (Luke 11:31). Jesus would bring “justice” and “righteousness” and “peace” available to the “poor” and the “children of the needy” and to people “throughout all generations,” culminating when even “the moon” is “no more,” in eternal life in heaven.

The Old Testament lesson, Isaiah 11:1-10, also is a prophecy of Jesus, who would come from the family line of Jesse, the father of King David. He would be filled with the Holy Spirit, “the Spirit of the Lord,” and live with “righteousness” and “faithfulness” for the sake of all “peoples” and “nations,” in His saving work. (See Luke 1:30-33.) The picture image of all kinds of animals living together in peace and children being in perfect safety is an image of eternal life to come in the “resting place” for Christ once His saving work is completed, and for all believers, through Him.

The Gospel lesson, Matthew 3:1-12, tells of John the Baptist’s role in preparing people for the coming of Christ Jesus by calling them to repentance for their sins and to receive his baptism. John’s work was prophesied. (See Malachi 4:5-6 and Luke 1:16-17.) And John himself prophesied and  taught that Jesus was “the Lord” and was the “mightier” One, who would institute baptism not just with water, but with the Holy Spirit. He would come to be the Savior of all, but some would resist and reject Him and be like unfruitful, useless chaff to be burned, instead of fruitful wheat to be gathered up to Him.

The Epistle lesson is from Roman’s 15:4-13. Paul reminds the Christians in Rome to keep listening to the Word of God, for “endurance” and “encouragement” and “hope.” Christ “became a servant to the circumcised" (to the Jews) to “confirm His promises” of salvation prophesied in the Old Testament. He came also to bring His mercy, (His forgiveness and salvation) to the Gentiles, the non-Jews, and quotes a number of Old Testament prophesies regarding that, too. Therefore, Gentiles and Jews should “welcome one another,” and “glorify God with one voice,” as Christ has welcomed all. Then they can together “be filled with all joy and peace” and “hope,” “in believing” in their Savior “by the power of the Holy Spirit,” through that Word.