The Second Sunday of Advent: The prophet Isaiah said “Comfort, O comfort my people....” (Isaiah 20:1a) As a church, we need to bring comfort and good news to a world torn by war. There is war in Ukraine, war in Gaza, war in Israel, war in Lebanon, war in Yemen, war in Pakistan, war in Ethiopia, war in . . . War seems to be everywhere. How can we bring comfort and joy given what we know about human nature? We will explore the question as we look at Isaiah 40:1-11 and Mark 1:1-8. Our message will be “Is There Hope for the World?”
See you Sunday.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Jim
This Week's Scriptures
Isaiah 40: 1-11
God’s People Are Comforted40 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to herthat she has served her term, that her penalty is paid,that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
3 A voice cries out:“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low;the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.5 Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
6 A voice says, “Cry out!” And I said, “What shall I cry?”All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field.7 The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass.8 The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.9 Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings;[a]lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,[b] lift it up, do not fear;say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!”10 See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him;his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms,and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep. | Mark 1:1-8
The Proclamation of John the Baptist1 The beginning of the good news[a] of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.[b]
2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,[c] “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,[d] who will prepare your way;3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”
4 John the baptizer appeared[e] in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with[f] water; but he will baptize you with[g] the Holy Spirit.” |