2nd Sunday in Advent

Meditation

INI

Text: Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Luke 2:20; Matthew 28:19

1^st Meditation – Deuteronomy 6:6-7

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”

In Christ Jesus, whose precious words are to be held close to our hearts, dear fellow redeemed:

Today, December 7, marks the 64^th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the incident that led to America’s involvement in World War II. America’s involvement in that great conflict together with the Great Depression of the previous decade shaped the minds and lives of what has been called America’s “Greatest Generation.” A common goal for the men and women of that generation, many of whom are still seated here today in view of what they had experienced, was to give to their children a better life. They had grown up with very few material blessings during the depression; they had experienced even greater hardships during the war—they now wanted something better for their children. In terms of material prosperity, they succeeded beyond what could have been most of their wildest dreams. Americans today are by far the wealthiest and most materially blessed people who have ever lived upon the face of the earth.

Such material blessing, however, does not preclude poverty of the soul. Among the letters Jesus sent to the churches of the Revelation, He had this to say about the Laodiceans, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. Because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire…” (Revelation 3:15-17). While we in America have achieved great wealth, I am afraid that our spirituality has often suffered. Our eyes so frequently are set on material things and our thoughts too often are limited to matters of this life. If you do not believe me simply consider the emphasis at Christmas on shopping and the length of individual gift lists. While Christmas is “a time of giving” and there is nothing wrong with that in and of itself, let us remember this important truth—THE GREATEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE ANYONE, ESPECIALLY YOUR CHILDREN, IS TO SHARE WITH THEM THE GOSPEL!

Jesus encourages us for our own benefit to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Our relationship with God and His Son, Jesus Christ, is the most important relationship we have, for it impacts not just everything we say and do here in our lives in this world, but it also will determine our eternal destiny. That is why God inspired Moses to instruct His Old Testament people on the importance of both possessing and sharing His word. Moses told the people, first of all, to cherish the truths of the gospel in their own hearts, but then to share them with their children “when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” In other words we are to take every opportunity to nurture our relationship with our Savior God personally and use every opportunity we have to share His message of love and forgiveness with our children.

Let us not spend our time bemoaning the secularization of Christmas, but rather let us use every opportunity we have to point to Jesus. Let us establish customs aimed at filling our minds with the thoughts of Christmas. Set up an Advent wreath and share special Advent devotions throughout these preparatory weeks. Attend the special services here at church, practice with your children their Christmas pieces each evening, gather the children on your couches and read through Luke 1-2 and relive the Christmas stories in your living rooms. It is when we share that gospel message that our minds and hearts will become rooted in the grace and mercy of our God and be equipped to meet the challenges of each day. Let us sing our next anthem.

2^nd Meditation: Luke 2:20

Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

What is the essence of the Christian message we are to share with others? Is the essence of that message primarily about that which we are supposed to do, or about that which God has done for us? In other words, it is a matter of law or of gospel? I was listening to a radio program yesterday, as I was driving in my car. It was an interview on KJYL, a Christian station, of a representative of a Christian medical association. The topic was “Ministering through Medicine.” At one point in the conversation, the interviewer asked the doctor how he ministered to non-Christians. He commented that he would do so very carefully. He would not immediately lay down the “four laws” of Christianity. I have to admit that that phrase is unfamiliar to me, but its use sent up warning signals to me immediately. The primary message of we are to share is not law, but gospel. It is not about what we must do, but rather about what Christ has done. Yes, THE MESSAGE WE HAVE TO SHARE IN ONE OF PURE JOY!

Consider the shepherds on that first Christmas Eve night. These were common, ordinary men who experienced anything but a common, ordinary night. Awakened by the angels and informed of the birth of the Savior, they were moved by the joyous news they had heard to seek the baby out. They found their Savior in that most unlikely place—an animal feeding manger in a stable. But that did not make any difference, for there before their eyes they saw the One whom the angels of heaven themselves had assured them was to save them from their sins. There before them was God’s long-promised Savior. He would take up arms against Satan on their behalf. He would become their champion to defeat sin and death and hell! There was no talk that night of the fulfillment of “four laws” or any other obligations, but rather the shepherds glorified and praised God “for all the things they had heard and seen.” This good news then they shared with everyone whom they met.

My dear friends, do not get me wrong. There is a time and a place to speak of our Christian lives of sanctification. The apostle James does say that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20). However, the primary message of our Christian faith is the gospel—a message of what God has done for us in Christ and that message is perhaps most easily and most powerful presented right now during the Christmas Season, when we have opportunities to share with others as did the shepherds a message of pure joy!

What is Christmas all about? It is not about our obligations, but a message that God through the birth of Jesus Christ, His Son, has stepped into time to deal with the greatest threat to our lives—sin, and to overcome for our hearts our greatest fear—death, and to remove from our minds our greatest burden—hell! Let us not romanticize the story of Christmas. Jesus came as a Child. He came in apparent weakness. But He came to wage battle on our behalf and to become our Champion. That is a message of pure joy—that is the message we have to share this Christmas! Let us sing our next anthem.

3^rd Meditation Text: Matthew 28:19

“Therefore as you are going make disciples of all nations.” (Literal Translation)

What are you going to be when you grow up? Are you going to be a doctor or lawyer, a teacher or a business person? Will you serve in the military or enter the private sector? Those are not uncommon questions and many young people when asked such questions may well shrug their shoulders and respond, “I don’t know yet.” God provides many wonderful opportunities in this world to use our gifts and talents. Many of us face great difficulties simply deciding what to do. Yet, there is one thing that we are all called to do. AS WE GO ABOUT OUR DAILY LIVES, OUR PRIMARY CALLING AS CHRISTIANS IS TO SHARE THE GOSPEL!

The words of our last meditation text are known as the “Great Commission.” The first word of that commission in most Bibles is translated as an imperative telling us to “go.” Yet, literally, a better translation is “as you are going.” Jesus’ intention is not that all Christians leave their families and home behind as Abraham once did in obedience to God. Rather, we wants our lives—wherever they may be led—to be lives of sharing the gospel message with others, so that the Spirit of God might work faith in their hearts and lead them into a relationship with Jesus Christ. God calls individuals to faith and to be His disciples—His followers, but He has chosen to do this through us.

It is a rather amazing thing that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Consequently, the Holy Spirit can and does use the words which come out of our mouths to effect His kingdom work. Whether you are three years old and reciting your Christmas piece to your grandparents or ninety-three years old sharing your trust in Jesus with a staff member at a nursing home, the Holy Spirit can and does use your confession of faith and mine to inform minds and to win hearts.

I pray regularly that God will move many of our young people to consider and then enter the teaching and preaching ministries within the church. We need qualified people to teach in our Christian schools and to occupy the pulpits of our churches, but Jesus’ intention was never that the proclamation of the gospel be limited to set careers. Rather, as we go about our daily lives—working in social service, cutting glass to install in windows, assembling parts of manufactured products, designing software for the newest computer applications, filing briefs at the local courthouse, visiting with neighbors over the backyard fence—as we go about our daily lives, we are to share the gospel! We are to tell people to that God loves them, that He has sent His Son to save them, that when they confess their sins to their heavenly Father He will not condemn them but rather wash those sins away, that when they have faith in Jesus they become God’s children and will inherit the gift of eternal life!

My dear friends, Christmas is indeed a time of giving. Let us give that which is most important. Let us share with others the gospel of Christ! Amen.

—Pastor Paul D. Nolting