Sermon Index
Advent 3, December 12, 2021
The theme of Advent III is “rejoice.” This is shown in the happy pink Advent candle. It is also shown in the Bible readings for today.
Zephaniah 3:14–20, Philippians 4:4–7, Luke 7: 18-23
The Old Testament Prophet Zephaniah speaks to the people of Jerusalem when they were severely oppressed by many things. He proclaimed, “The day of the Lord is at hand” 1:7. But it would not be like Christmas. He warned the people of old Israel that they were not ready for that “Day of the Lord,” because it would be a day of wrath (1:8). Because of their sins and unbelief and mistrust of the Lord, God would punish the nation of Judah and the capital city of Jerusalem. He tells them to “seek the Lord, seek righteousness, seek humility” in order to escape the wrath of the Lord (2:3). And the Lord would also punish the enemies of Israel who had oppressed and corrupted Israel. After the call to repent, Zephaniah gives the call to rejoice. This is the theme of the Third Sunday in Advent: “rejoice.” Zephaniah said, 3:14. “Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away your punishment.” The reason for their rejoicing is that God has seen their repentance and faith. God has forgiven their sins. The rejoicing, however, comes after a time of cleansing. The rejoicing comes after a time of trusting the Lord in the midst of war and hardship. They rejoice because God is love and will save his people.
We only get to read from the Prophet Zephaniah once every three years on this Third Sunday of Advent. He wrote about 500 years before Christ was born, but change a few words and place names, and he could be speaking to us in our world today. He would condemn our sin and tell us also to “seek the Lord, seek righteousness, seek humility” in order to escape the wrath of the Day of the Lord (2:3). But he would tell us that “The Day of the Lord” has come in the birth, death and resurrection of Christ, and will come again when the Lord returns. And so we can “rejoice and sing aloud”.
By the way, the Book of Zephaniah is a fun read. It is only 3 chapters long and you can read it in ten minutes. The poetry and imagery are inspired. It is best if read aoud. I am not sure, but since it is poetry, I think that probably it was sung in the synagogues as a hymn: maybe a chant, maybe rap. It was treasured because it gave hope as it proclaimed the love of God.
In today’s Epistle reading, Philippians 4:4, St. Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” At the time, it was not like Christmas for St. Paul. He wrote these words from prison. How could he tell anyone to rejoice? How could he himself rejoice? This is a rejoicing that comes after a time of struggle and cleansing. Christ has died to forgive our sin. We have struggled with the devil and temptation. We have struggled with injustice and the harassment of the world. Yet in the midst of our struggle and distress, in the midst of our dissatisfaction and disappointment, in the midst of our various prisons and hopelessness, in the midst of senseless violence and grief, God is with us, “Emmanuel.” We can rejoice because in Jesus Christ, the Day of the Lord has already come. That was the Day when Christ died on the cross to forgive our sin and defeat the devil. The devil no longer has a permanent hold on us. We have hope, so we rejoice.
Like St. Paul, John the Baptist was also in prison. It was not like Christmas for him. Jesus gave him reason to rejoice. John’s disciples came and asked Jesus, “John the Baptist sent us to You to ask, ‘Are You the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’” (Luke 7: 20.) Jesus replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of Me.” (Luke 7: 22-23.) People are blessed and they can rejoice in the Good News!
We have heard the Good News. We believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior. And so we are ready for the Day of the Lord, the Day of Christ. We are ready for Christmas, we are ready for the Last Day of the World, and we are ready for each and every day of this world now because Christ is with us. And so we rejoice! What does this rejoicing look like? What form does it take? First it is worship. St. Paul says it is peace in our hearts and prayer to God. Philippians 4:4-7, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
I may not have all my shopping done and all the greetings sent, but I am ready for the Day of Christmas and the Day of Christ everyday. The love of God fills my heart and so I want to spread this love to others. This is the reason for the love and the hope for peace in this season. That love and peace is why we rejoice.
Amen.
And may the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church