Breaking Open the Word

2nd Sunday in Advent 2019

Cycle A

Isaiah 11:1-10

Romans 15:4-9

Matthew 3:1-12

 

 

We have written before that Isaiah is really three different sets of scripture that the scribes over the years have combined into one book. The writing style and technique is very different from what is called First Isaiah. The point is that the scribes, or schools of thought, communities of followers, saw a means to reflect Isaiah’s words across a large span of time, to keep the people from straying away from what was taught.

 

This piece of scripture today is from First Isaiah and is often thought to be a messianic prophecy. This very first sentence tells us just how important this new ruler will be when they reference the stump of Jesse for two reasons. First, Jesse was the father of King David, who was seen to be the best ruler that Israel had. Second, the home of Jesse was Bethlehem, which we know plays an important role in the lineage of Jesus.

 

Verses 2-10 can be divided into two pieces or oracles. The first describes the attributes of a good king, one who rules with compassion, love and mercy, one who is guided by the Spirit of the Lord and not following his own human desires. They will be given wisdom and counsel, an understanding that most people do not have. The fear of the Lord they have is not fear of being punished, but a profound and deep respect for the creator. It describes all the things that a righteous king will do for their people.

 

The second oracle, verses 6-9, describe events that no king, no human could make happen. What it describes is a total transformation of the natural order in the animal kingdom. Once we understand the poetic nature of this passage, we can begin to see how an ideal world would be. We see a return to the Garden of Eden and what the Lord has given us as the ideals to live by.

 

These passages attempt to accomplish two things. First, they are meant to be a comfort to the people who are living in the time of the Assyrian crisis, and second, we have a picture of what the ideal world should be like. What a monumental task for any king to live up to, but we know Jesus was just not any king.

 

Paul is starting to wrap up this letter to the Romans in chapter 15. We only hear verses 4-9, but if we include verses 1-3 also, we get a better picture and understanding of what Paul is writing to the Romans about. Paul starts out saying in verse one that he is strong in faith, a first where we have heard that from him. He continues asking them to be patient with those whose faith is weak. The words “…be patient...” should be translated to say “carry” or “help carry” the burdens of the weak. This really is calling us to self-denial for the sake of others. This is a call for us to help build the community, to help build the kingdom so that all can share in its rewards.

 

The last few verses from this passage sound very much like a doxology that would have been read to the people as the speaker is finishing his speech, finishing his teaching, for the people to live in harmony, to seek the common good for all and to follow the teachings of Jesus.

 

This 2^nd Sunday in Advent is still about preparation for the coming of the Lord, especially our gospel today with its references to John the Baptist. Matthews main contribution to this text is where in verse 2 he uses the same words that Jesus does; ‘Reform your lives! The reign of God is at hand.”

 

This is a radical demand for conversion, it’s not just a mere mention in passing that we need to change. It demands of us to make a change in everything we do, everything we are, everything say, a change deep within the core of our being. Israel, and ourselves are acknowledging the Lord of creation.

 

The radical being of John the Baptist, his living style, his clothing, where he lives, what he eats are all signs of a radically different type of herald of the news about Jesus. Images of the Old Testament prophet Elijah should come to mind as we hear him described in 2 Kings.

 

John’s use of water for baptism is the symbol of one’s conversion of their heart, but that is not enough. A true conversion has to takes into account the everything a person is and does. That is one of the reasons John so violently clashes with the Scribes and Pharisees. He warns them that it is not enough for them to claim Abraham as their father and expect everything to be ok. They must produce good fruit; they must change what they say and do or else God’s wrath will rain down on them.

 

John foretells the Spirit of the Lord that will be that Jesus will use to baptize those who have converted themselves to follow the Lord. Those who do not covert will be like the chaff that is thrown out and burned when separated from the wheat.

 

When we, like John, acknowledge that we are unworthy to carry the sandals of Jesus, when we acknowledge we are sinners in need of Jesus as our savior, then our conversion has begun.

 

Are you wheat or chaff?