Sunday, December 2, 2018

First Sunday of Advent (2 Dec. 2018)

Welcome To The New World
And when He [Jesus] said these things He went on ahead going up into Jerusalem.  And as it happened when He approached near Bethpage and Bethany toward the mountain called “Olive Orchard” He send two disciples saying "Go into the opposite village near there as you are entering you will find a colt tied upon which no one has ever sat, and after untying it and bring it.  And if anyone were to ask you 'Why are you untying it,' you will answer that it's Lord has need of it."  The ones who were sent went away and found it just as He told them.  While they were untying the colt its owners said to them "Why are you untying the colt?"  They said "It's Lord has need of it." And they brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks upon the colt, and placed Jesus on it.  As He was traveling they began spreading out their cloaks on the road.  Now already as He drew near the descent of the Mountain of Olives the whole crowd of disciples began to rejoice praising God with a great voice for all the miracles which they saw, saying  "Blessed is He, the king, who comes in the name of the Lord, peace in heaven and glory in the highest."  And some of the Pharisees, because of the crowd, said to Him "Teacher, rebuke your disciples."  And He answered "I say to you, that if these should be silent the stones will cry out."
Luke 19:28-40
"You have been weighed...  You have been measured...  And you absolutely... Have been found wanting."  This line, from the movie "A Knight's Tale," is based on Daniel 5:27, and it is quite the fitting echo for the Gospel lesson for the first Sunday of the Church year.

But the reading is from the last Sunday of Christ's life before his death on the Cross.  Here the Church awaits the birth of the Messiah, yet we are celebrating His triumphant ride to His execution.  Does this make any sense?  It does.

In the tenth chapter of Ezekiel, the prophet sees the Glory of God leave the temple, but declares that the Lord will return from the east.  And so from the mountains east of Zion comes riding, humble and with peace in His wake, the King.  A great crowd parades Him onward, shouting praises and accolades.  It is a majestic and exciting thing to see.  The Messiah come to Jerusalem.

But not all are pleased with the sight.  The false teachers, the Pharisees, who worship the traditions and law, call Jesus to task, asking that He scold and silence His followers.  They are upset that the "rabble" is seeking a changed world.

But unfortunately for them, the world has already been changed.  And even if Christ had any inclination to have the crowd be quiet, all of creation, from the very dirt that humanity was first molded from, would should the praises of God.  And thus the Pharisees have no excuse to deny the Christ His throne.  And yet, we know they try.  But their reward has already been determined.  They were found to be lacking in that all important detail: faith in the Messiah.  A faith that even the stones, the Gentiles raised up as true children of Abraham, had been given that faith.

The Friday after this triumphant entry ends with Christ dying on the Cross.  But on the next Sunday, He rises again, the firstborn from the dead.  Much like is anticipated birth, which was heralded throughout all time, this marks a new, restored, world.

And so we make ready, not only for the upcoming holiday season commemorating His birth, nor even for His conquering yet meek march into the city, but for His victorious and final return.

(Please note, that with the new year comes a few changes.  Unlike the previous year, I am not posting the entire pericope for any given Sunday.  I mostly only post the Gospel lesson, which I will be translating myself, instead of using the ESV.  This isn't because translations like the ESV, NIV, KJV, etc, are bad, but because I have a class were we are translating the Gospel lesson for each week.  Also, the previous year was the One-Year Series.  Since I am translating the Three-Year, I will be using those lessons.  Any deviation from this will be noted.)

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