Second Sunday in Advent
Our Hope Lutheran Church
Huntertown, Indiana
Text: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ” John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.””
Introduction: It had been over four hundred years since Malachi, the last prophet before John, spoke. Malachi had predicted that God would send the prophet Elijah to purify his people for the coming Messiah. John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of that greatest prophet. But the people just didn’t get it. He was not the Messiah, but the one who revealed the Messiah.
I. John the Baptist was the Last and Greatest Prophet
A. He was a Son of Aaron, heralded in the temple, born to the barren, living like Elijah, maybe even son of David…
B. They thought he was a kind of Super David.
C. He was instead God’s witness, the last and greatest Old Testament prophet, the one to point to Emmanuel – God with us.
D. He showed us where God is – on the cross.
II. In the midst of our troubles, we ask, “Where is God?”
A. Yes, our world is filled with sorrow, death, disaster, persecution, sin and disease.
B. Pagans tell us God is not there or is not at all interested in us or that we have angered Him.
C. Often they try to appease or bribe their gods or fix the problems with their own wits.
D. We are tempted to join them and ask, “Where is God?” looking in all the wrong places.
III. Emmanuel is by our side, with His good gifts and Spirit.
A. Even though we don’t see Him, He’s by our side on the battlefield, with His good gifts and Spirit.
B. Emmanuel saw our suffering and was moved with compassion.
C. He became flesh and lived with us.
D. He took it all to the Cross where He paid for it and broke its power forever.
E. Today, He is still with us and one day will bring it all evil to an end.
Rev. Robert E. Smith
Concordia Theological Seminary
Fort Wayne, Indiana
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