FULFILLMENT

                                                                  

                           FULFILLMENT: “The Time Came”                                                                (Last in an Advent series entitled: “Prepare the Way”)                                  (Read Luke 2:1-20)

Everything has been leading up to this time: The Angel visitations, Making/Rounds. Zachariah, Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph, the songs of praise, the precious time Mary had with Elizabeth and the return trip to Nazareth. (Luke 1:39-56) The required return to Bethlehem – the city of David – for a census while Mary was in the ninth month of her pregnancy.  Finally, The Time Came: the child is born!

History was Made.  Fulfillment of all the prophesies, promises and expectations. Paul in Romans 5:6 writes: "At just the right time ...Right Time?" "God you must be kidding!"

Herod was the puppet king of the Empire of Rome. Caesar Augustus was the first Emperor of Rome ...Considered as a god.  Taxes were cruel, opposition was stamped out by the boot of Rome. Roads were built, and communication enabled.

 

Bethlehem God, through the Prophet (Micah 5:2), had said is from where the Messiah would come. Problem: Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth in Northern Israel. Bethlehem was in Southern Judah.

Caesar’s edict: ((Luke 2:1-4) What?  This was terrible timing.  Mary was about to give birth. Travel took several days. There was sufficient cause for Joseph to go to Bethlehem, but to bring a woman in her 9th month of pregnancy...?

When Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem, they found all the homes and Inn were full, "God now what?"

The stage was set.  God’s Perfect Timing in bring his Son into the world. We see how God used “strange means” in accomplishing His will. Little did the Emperor or King know that God used their tyrannical subjection and edict, which was a way of tagging, checking on each person and taking away their freedoms, was fulfilling God’s plan for humanity. God guided the whole thing.  

Pastor and Theologian John Calvin writes: “Men, then, must be blind when they are not willing to recognize, hear the Word of God, who marked His only Son, so He could be received without doubt as Him who was promised.” 

Each year we revisit this moment in history reflecting on the mystery of the incarnation: “entering into or becoming flesh.” “Incarnation is not just a beautiful idea or abstract theological truth. It Happened!” * It Happened then and it happens today as we live in relationship with Christ. Jesus Christ promised deliverance, not from Rome or any Government edicts but from Satan and sin.

When Joseph and Mary came as poor subjects to a pagan tyrant, Jesus born in Bethlehem, showed the Fulfillment of God’s Promises. God gave full certainty to His own people so that we would not doubt the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the history which Luke recites, we learn how the Son of God emptied Himself of everything for our salvation clothing Himself in human flesh. Though Jesus was born in an obscure village in extreme poverty and without honor, He was magnified by Angeles from Paradise, honoring him and bearing the message of Christ’s birth to shepherds and through the heavens to Magi. 

Everyone’s response to the Good News is different. The shepherds couldn’t contain themselves, rushing to see what the angels had told them, unable to contain themselves, telling everyone of what they had seen and heard. Magi traveled for months to visit a newly born king. They brought gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Mt. 2:1-12  Mary treasured and pondered in her heart. (Lk. 2:19) Herod in jealousy and rage tried killing the "newborn king". (Mt. 2:16-18) 

Angeles: "Fear Not!  News of Great Joy!. Peace on earth to those on whom God’s favor rests." (Lk. 2:13-14) Peace and Joy are inseparable.  Peace with God comes through His Son who removed our sins by unmerited love. Good News, salvation comes through Jesus Christ.

Sometimes we may think: “If I am living as God has asked of me, why aren’t things going better?"  When facing discomfort or inconvenience and thinking we have misread God’s will.  

“The Timing is Not Right, Why Now?” Remember this couple headed to Bethlehem. God didn’t soften the bumpy road.  God strengthened Joseph and Mary. God didn’t provide a luxurious inn for Mary and Joseph. God brought His Son into the world in humble surroundings.                                                  

When we follow God, we are not guaranteed comfort and convenience. God does promises, not leave or forsake us and that everything has meaning in God’s plan. God will guide and provide for us as He did for Mary and Joseph. God is in charge.  “At Just the Right Time...”     

How has God become flesh in you? How do you respond to the Good News? As Mary, the Shepherds, the Magi or as Herod?

*(Shirley Gutherie)

    

TRUE GIFT

                                                                   

                                                          "TRUE GIFT"                                                            (Fourth in an Advent Series Entitled: "Prepare the Way")                                  (Titus 3:4-8, Isaiah 9:2-11*)    

                                  Song: Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

                                             You better watch out, you better
                                              not pout, you better not cry...
                                              Santa Claus is coming to town.
                                              He’s making a list and checking
                                              it twice ... to find out who’s been
                                              naughty or nice.
                                              Santa Claus is coming to town.

                                      He knows when you are sleeping,
                                      he knows when you are awake.
                                      He knows when you’ve been bad or good                                                    So be good for goodness' sake.
                                             Refrain:

The concept of reward is a great motivation for children to behave and do their chores.  But is it in direct contrast to the Message of Christmas. 

If you closely read the Scripture Lessons cited above, you heard the "Good News" is, "that in spite of humanities’ not being good, God gave us the greatest gift possible, Himself."

I am amazed at how a "positive" idea is turned into reward or punishment. I read the following:
"Last night's talk show host Jimmy Kimmel asked parents to submit videos of their children opening an early Christmas present.  However, to ensure that the children would give a disappointed reaction, Kimmel asked parents to give their children a ‘terrible’ gift.

Parents got creative with the prank, wrapping up overripe bananas, half-eaten sandwiches, hot dogs, batteries, and even a can of black beans.

In the submitted video footage, the children eagerly ripped open their presents only to find that they had been duped. The children were unimpressed with the gifts and offered unexpectedly hilarious reactions.

One child named Charlie squealed, ‘I don’t like this,’ after he unwrapped a half used bottle of juice. Another little boy cried after opening a pink activity book and said, ‘This is the worst present I ever got.’ One child asked for a refund while he threw a temper tantrum, running around his house screaming"- (Christian Post)

This reminded me of one of the many repeat Christmas Specials 

on T.V. entitled:  "The True Gift."
A young boy wakes up early on Christmas morning and dashes downstairs to get a sneak peek at his gift.   It was a sweatshirt ...
he had asked for skates.  He became so angry that wrote a note
to his parents that he was running away. He took the gifts he had made for his father and mother and threw them in the trash.

At that moment he was transported back to a Christmas in the sixth century Germany. There he met a lady who had chosen not to go with the Magi to visit the "Child King."   Her excuse: "I have to clean my house." She had been traveling through the centuries ... Christmas to Christmas, country to country seeking the meaning of the True Gift.  
The story continued ... as the woman and the boy experienced the various Christmas legends.  Each legend, in one way or another had a "Good Side," Father Christmas, St. Nicholas etc. who rewarded good behavior.  Each legend also had a "Bad Side."  Black Peter, who harangued bad behavior.

The boy was being punished (taught a lesson) for running away from home, the woman for giving excuses for not going to see the "Child King." 
After many experiences, the boy finally learns that the True Gift

is not what is given or received ...

                          it is the spirit in which the gift is given or received.

The Message of Christmas is that God came to this earth in the form of a baby ... offering life, forgiveness and hope. God does not offer this gift to only those who are good ... Rather it is offered to those who are bad.
As with any gift, one must accept it, open it and
use it, if one is to receive the full benefits of the gift.

God’s True Gift is what we celebrate this December 25.

We are not commemorating Christmas because
we are remembering some "myth or legend."
We commemorate a historical event that took place in "Time and Space." It is an event that gives us hope and allows us to experience God’s True Gift!

Advent is a time of focusing on the Hope of Christ’s birth and promised return. The central theme and declaration of the Good News/Gospel is:
God’s forgiving grace and peace experienced by those accepting
                  God’s True Gift.

In response to the Good News, Christians, wherever they go,
point to the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:2-7*), and live with
that hope and peace in their daily lives.

Hope is not a "wish." "I hope to receive ..."
Not hope "I will win the Powerball and $572 million."
Not hope (your favorite college team and your choice opponent)
will play in the 2023 Bowl Championship Game).
Not even hope "for world peace."
Hope is the certainty that God will do what God says.
Even as God fulfilled all the promises ... of which you read ...
when God came in the form of the baby named Jesus.

Titus 2:11-14:
God's readiness to give and forgive is now public.
Salvation's available for everyone! We're being shown how to
turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take
on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting
right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day
when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears.
He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark,
rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people
he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.

It is when we accept God’s True Gift that we experience the
Transforming Power of God’s Coming in human form (Incarnation).

Two Lessons:

I. Jesus liberated us from the power and penalty of our rebellion.

Jesus purifies us so that we may live as God’s special people.
Jesus enables us to live as God’s peaceful people in the world.
In Jesus we are recreated as New People – a New Creation. 
                                                           The Old is left behind.

II. In Jesus we:

A. Renounce those things Separating us from one another ...
           i.e.: lying, stealing, cheating, murder, adultery etc.
           Strangling us with trivia and things which do not last.ie:
           amassing nothing but material things, we must leave                       behind.

B. Acquire the shining virtues which: 
          - Marked Jesus’ life.
          - Brought light into darkness.
          - Allow us to live with prudence and reverence.

The dynamic of this new life is the expectation of Jesus’ return.
Advent is a time for preparing our lives and homes for the coming
of Jesus.  In one way, we should always be prepared for Jesus’
coming and promised return.

                 When Jesus comes, we will not be rewarded or
                  punished on whether we have been "naughty or nice."
                  We will be invited into God’s presence if we have
                  accepted God’s True Gift offered to us at:
                  The First Christmas and Good Friday."

                  God our Savior showed us his kindness and love,
                  He saved us, not because of the good things we did,
                  but because of his mercy.  (Titus 3:4-5)
　
When God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in,
he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing
to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it
new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit.
Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously.
God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us
back our lives. And there's more life to come—an eternity of life!
You can count on this ... Take a firm stand on these matters so
that those who have put their trust in God will concentrate on the
essentials that are good for everyone.  (Titus 3:5b-8b)

We are still Naughty/Bad. We do not always live as God desires.
There still is injustice which leads to strife ... unrest ... selfishness...lack of peace.  So, while we wait for Jesus' promised return (the blessed hope) let us strife being God’s Hopeful and Peaceful People by demonstrating and living: The Reconciliation, Compassion and Justice we have received,

              God’s True Gift given to us in Immanuel: (God with us).

"Another story: "While at the mall a couple of years ago, my then four-year-old nephew, Spencer, saw kids lined up to see Santa Claus. Having been taught, as a toddler, that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, he asked his mom, ‘where's the line to see Jesus’? Becky Kelly inspired, wrote a song: Where’s The Line To See Jesus ...?"

        "Santa brought me presents, Jesus gave his life for me."
                       wheresthelinetoseejesus? (Video)

The True Gift: ... "Jesus gave his life for you."
Will you receive or reject that True Gift?

(I encourage you to watch "The Chosen" Christmas Show:  "Holy Night" on CW TV, this Saturday, December 23 at 7:00 pm.  

If not, record it and watch it later.  That way you can speed through the adds.  The story of Jesus' birth dramatically told is complemented with wonderful live Christmas music.)

(I am posting this early because this Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, is December 24 and also Christmas Eve.)

---

* Isaiah 9:2-7 (All Scriptures are from The Message)
                                 The people who walked in darkness
                                         have seen a great light.
                        For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—
                                       light! sunbursts of light!
                                    You repopulated the nation,
                                         you expanded its joy.
                              Oh, they're so glad in your presence!
                                                Festival joy!
                                   The joy of a great celebration,
                             sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.
                        The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants—
                              all their whips and cudgels and curses—
                              Is gone, done away with, a deliverance
       as surprising and sudden as Gideon's old victory over Midian.
                               The boots of all those invading troops,
                      along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood,
                                  Will be piled in a heap and burned,
                                       a fire that will burn for days!
                                 For a child has been born—for us!
                                          the gift of a son—for us!
                                                   He'll take over
                                          the running of the world.
                               His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
                                                    Strong God,
                                                  Eternal Father,
                                              Prince of Wholeness.
                                        His ruling authority will grow,
                    and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
                              He'll rule from the historic David throne
                                        over that promised kingdom.
                             He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing
                                                and keep it going
                                    With fair dealing and right living,
                                   beginning now and lasting always.
                                The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies
                                                will do all this.
              

SIGNS OF HOPE

                                    

                                                       

                                           "SIGNS OF HOPE"   
                           (Third in an Advent Series:  "Prepare the Way")

Three years ago, this January events occurred that are still impacting our nation,

This coming January 15, 2024, (Iowa Caucuses), our nation, once again starts the whole procedure of electing leaders, including President and Vice-President to lead our nation for the next four years. My purpose is not to raise political issues, but to illustrate that placing hope in anything other than God is False Hope.

Advent is four weeks focused on the Hope of the One who came and promises to come again. We are reminded of the hope of the Prophets. Isaiah 35* (You can read the scripture at the bottom of this blog or in your own Bible) is one such message of hope. It is an oasis between the wasteland of chapters 1-34, with its message of judgment on all nations including Israel and Judah and history of war, sickness and famine.

God Never Allowed His People to Go Without Hope or Comfort. 

The same is true for us.  God Will Never Leave Us Without Hope.

Is. 35: 3-4 When our hands are feeble, and knees give way ...
When hearts are filled with fear ...
God says: Be strong, do not fear,
I will Come ... I AM With You!

1. Historical Event.

As time drew near for the Israelites to return, from captivity to their homeland, it was important remembering the lessons of their ancestors. The coming Exodus would be greater than the first when they were liberated from Egypt. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Isaiah exhausts the picture of a stricken earth, shrouded in smoke from the smoldering ruins, haunted by wild beasts, empty of all human life, the stench of the slain, clinging to the very soil drenched with rotten death. In Contrast ... 

One passes from a sense of despair to hope, thanksgiving, beauty and joy, an "oracle of divine redemption."  The homecoming would be glorious, traveling on the Kings Highway. God’s Coming makes the desert blossom.

2. King’s Highway.

God said: "This is the WAY." (Isaiah 30:21)
The Will of God is that all find The Way...
Jesus said: I AM the Way ...

Luke 1:57-80 Is the story of John, son of Elizabeth and Zachariah -
(Read the passage. ** Also printed at end of this blog.)

Notice the wonder interaction about naming the baby and why Elizabeth said, and Zachariah wrote:  "He is to be called JOHN."   (Luke 1:13-17)

John’s mission was to Prepare the Way for the Messiah.
- he lived a life of strict discipline.
- he rebuked evil wherever he saw it.
- his message was: repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.
- he had nothing to lose, especially after baptizing Jesus.
- his career ended in disaster ...
- he fearlessly and defiantly spoken against Herod Antipas of Galilee, who during a trip to Rome had seduced his sister-in-law.  Returning home he dismissed his wife and married his sister-in-law whom he lured away from his brother.
John publicly and sternly rebuked Herod.
 
- Herod took revenge and had John thrown into the dungeon of the fortress Machaerus near the Dead Sea. For anyone that would be a terrible fate, but for John, a child of desert; where all his life he had lived in open space, with wind blowing on his face and the spacious sky for his roof; being confined by four walls in an underground dungeon must have been almost un-bearable.

- John sent his disciples to ask Jesus, Are you the one who was to come, or
                                                   should we expect someone else? (Matthew 11:3)
- Danger of following a dream that is only a dream.
  Gave his life in preparing the Way, had it been in vain?
  Did John expect a military take over! Judgement!

- Jesus answered: Go back and report to John what you hear and see. The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and good news is preached to the poor.  Notice how this is a fulfilment of Isaiah 35:5.
- "John, you are not following just a dream. You are following me."
   Jesus was the only person who could ever demand without qualification and condition     to be judged not by what he said, but what he did. The same is true today.

- Jesus says: Look at what I can do for you.
                    See what I have done for others.
- What Jesus did in Galilee he still does today.

3. Picture of Final Kingdom.

Isaiah 35 is a beautiful picture of the final kingdom in which God will establish Justice and destroy Evil. This is the world we can anticipate when all creation will rejoice.

Isaiah pictures the days when life will be peaceful, and relationships will be made right. Carmel and Sharon were regions of thick vegetation and fertile soil. They were symbols of productivity and plenty.
Isaiah 35:8-10 "Highway of Holiness" is the way that those in right relationship with God will take from the desert of suffering to Zion (Jerusalem).
It is found only by following God.

As they/we travel God’s Highway, they/we will be protected from the wicked and harmful animals. Jesus said: I will go and prepare a place for you, so that where I AM you may be also. God will be with us. God never stops at simply pointing the way, God is the Way and always beside us.

Jesus said to John and to us: Maybe I don’t do what you expect me to do. But the powers of evil are still being defeated, by unanswerable love. Sometimes Jesus doesn’t meet our expectations or doesn’t act as rapidly as we expect.

We are living in the Age to Come. (Which began with Jesus' resurrection,)
We live in Hope. Not a dream, but reality.
Signs of Hope even in world in turmoil.
Celebrate the Birth of the One who brought hope!

Are you a member of God’s Kingdom?
Are you placing your hope in someone or something other than God?
Are dreams your hope?

If so, all you need do is say:
"Jesus, I can’t do it on my own. Love is nonexistent in my life. Please take over my life and give me hope and peace Give me the assurance and hope of your love that transforms."
Then you will be truly ready when Jesus comes to permanently set up his kingdom.

Following a School Bus, I thought
"Not too much Change since buses were first introduced."
Their purpose is to Transported students to and from school in safely, comfort, joy and hope. Unfortunately, accidents occur, and the purpose may be interrupted.

Advent is a time for remembering and anticipating.
Even though we live in the "Age to Come.," we also still live in the "This Age" where we still are affected by those things that in the "Age to Come" will no longer exist.

We may not know the future. We do know who holds the future.

C.S. Lewis’ The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Chronicles of Narnia,
writes of an Unlikely hero, Eustace, bumbling Cousin. 
If you know the story, when Eustace falls overboard and is struggling Aslan says:
... I Am With You.
   Fear not! Strengthen weak hands, feeble knees. (Isaiah 35:5)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Isaiah 35:1-10
1-2 Wilderness and desert will sing joyously, the badlands will celebrate and flower—
Like the crocus in spring, bursting into blossom,
a symphony of song and color.
Mountain glories of Lebanon—a gift.
Awesome Carmel, stunning Sharon—gifts.
God's resplendent glory, fully on display.
God awesome, God majestic.

3-4Energize the limp hands,
strengthen the rubbery knees.
Tell fearful souls,
"Courage! Take heart!
God is here, right here,
on his way to put things right
And redress all wrongs.
He's on his way! He'll save you!"

5-7Blind eyes will be opened,
deaf ears unstopped,
Lame men and women will leap like deer,
the voiceless break into song.
Springs of water will burst out in the wilderness,
streams flow in the desert.
Hot sands will become a cool oasis,
thirsty ground a splashing fountain.
Even lowly jackals will have water to drink,
and barren grasslands flourish richly.
                                                                         
8-10There will be a highway
called the Way of Holiness, (Kings Highway)
No one rude or rebellious                                          
is permitted on this road.
It's for God's people exclusively—
impossible to get lost on this road.
Not even fools can get lost on it.
No lions on this road,
no dangerous wild animals—
Nothing and no one dangerous or threatening.
Only the redeemed will walk on it.
The people God has ransomed
will come back on this road.
They'll sing as they make their way home to Zion,
unfading halos of joy encircling their heads,
Welcomed home with gifts of joy and gladness
as all sorrows and sighs scurry into the night.
　

**Luke 1:57-80
57-58When Elizabeth was full-term in her pregnancy, she bore a son. Her neighbors and relatives, seeing that God had overwhelmed her with mercy, celebrated with her.

59-60On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child and were calling him Zachariah after his father. But his mother intervened: "No. He is to be called John."

61-62"But," they said, "no one in your family is named that." They used sign language to ask Zachariah what he wanted him named.

63-64Asking for a tablet, Zachariah wrote, "His name is to be John." That took everyone by surprise. Surprise followed surprise—Zachariah's mouth was now open, his tongue loose, and he was talking, praising God!

65-66A deep, reverential fear settled over the neighborhood, and in all that Judean hill country people talked about nothing else. Everyone who heard about it took it to heart, wondering, "What will become of this child? Clearly, God has his hand in this."

67-79Then Zachariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied,

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
he came and set his people free.
He set the power of salvation in the center of our lives,
and in the very house of David his servant,
Just as he promised long ago
through the preaching of his holy prophets:
Deliverance from our enemies
and every hateful hand;
Mercy to our fathers,
as he remembers to do what he said he'd do,
What he swore to our father Abraham—
a clean rescue from the enemy camp,
So we can worship him without a care in the world,
made holy before him as long as we live.

And you, my child, "Prophet of the Highest,"
will go ahead of the Master to prepare his ways,
Present the offer of salvation to his people,
the forgiveness of their sins.
Through the heartfelt mercies of our God,
God's Sunrise will break in upon us,
Shining on those in the darkness,
those sitting in the shadow of death, 

Then showing us the way, one foot at a time,
down the path of peace.

80. The child grew up, healthy and spirited. 

He lived out in the desert until the day he made his prophetic debut in Israel. 

"HOPE: All Will See"

                                                                       

                                           "HOPE: All Will See"

                        (Second in an Advent Series: “Prepare the Way”)
                                    (Luke 3:1-6, Philippians 1:3-11)

 
While we were still living in California, Jeannie and I spent almost two weeks preparing for the arrival of my sister and brother-in-law, with whom we had a wonderful five days. We wanted the house clean, the garden as beautiful as possible including re-finishing our front door. If we did this for family members imagine what we would have done if we knew Jesus was going to stay with us?

Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of Jesus, both his birth in Bethlehem, of which we read about last week and also the promise of his return. Today we look at the Hope: of salvation and the completion of His work ...
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see...All these people were still living by faith when they died.
They did not receive the things promised. (Hebrews 11:1,13)

The Prophet Malachi wrote: 3:1-3

1 "Look! I'm sending my messenger on ahead to clear the way for me. Suddenly, out of the blue, the Leader you've been looking for will enter his Temple—yes, the Messenger of the Covenant, the one you've been waiting for. Look! He's on his way!" A Message from the mouth of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
2-3 But who will be able to stand up to that coming? Who can survive his appearance?
He'll be like white-hot fire from the smelter's furnace. He'll be like the strongest lye soap at the laundry. He'll take his place as a refiner of silver, as a cleanser of dirty clothes. He'll scrub the Levite priests clean, refine them like gold and silver, until they're fit for God, fit to present offerings of righteousness. 

4, Then, and only then, will Judah and Jerusalem be fit and pleasing to God, as they used to be in the years long ago."

It had been centuries since these words had been spoken. Malachi was the last of the Prophets to appear among Israel. Now John, the Baptist is summoned by God to give up his secluded life in the desert and act as God’s mouthpiece. He proclaimed the hope that the Messiah/Christ was coming soon.

Luke 3:1-6
1-6 In the fifteenth year of the rule of Caesar Tiberius—it was while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea; Herod, ruler of Galilee; his brother Philip, ruler of Iturea and Trachonitis; Lysanias, ruler of Abilene; during the Chief-Priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas—John, Zachariah's son, out in the desert at the time, received a message from God. He went all through the country around the Jordan River preaching a baptism of life-change leading to forgiveness of sins, as described in the words of Isaiah the prophet: 

"Thunder in the desert!
Prepare God's arrival!
Make the road smooth and straight!
Every ditch will be filled in,
Every bump smoothed out,
The detours straightened out,
All the ruts paved over.
Everyone will be there to see
The parade of God's salvation." (Isaiah 40:3-5) *

The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. (Luke 3:5)
You may have read or heard of the famous words uttered by the Welsh Journalist Henry Stanley who searched throughout Africa for a Scottish Missionary. Upon finally finding the Missionary, Stanley uttered his now famous words, “Doctor Livingstone I Presume?”
When Dr. David Livingstone was working in Africa as a medical missionary, a group of friends wrote to him saying, "We would like to send other men to you. Have you found a good road into your area yet?"
Dr. Livingstone wrote back and said, "If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all." Livingstone wanted men who were willing to pay the price of following Jesus.

In John’s Day, before a king took a trip, messengers would tell those he was planning to visit to prepare the roads for him. Similarly, John told his listeners make their lives ready for the Messiah to come to them.
He was concerned for the state of their hearts not the state of roads. “Mend not your roads, but your lives.”

During the Coronation Service in Westminster Abbey of Queen Elizabeth II, (1952), after all the guests had been seated, a squad of cleaners unexpectedly emerged with brushes and vacuum cleaners and proceeded to sweep the carpets so that they would be spotless for the coming of the Queen. “The King is Coming!” Hope ... Ready?

“All Will See God’s Salvation ...” (Luke 3:6) 

Luke, the Historian, places John clearly in Time and Space. With historical aptitude, Luke gives a full chronology for John’s public appearance. Approximately, six months later Jesus approaches John for baptism. Luke is concerned that full light fall on Christ. John’s divine charge was to  as a to serve as the opening act and for-runner of Christ.

The emergence of John was one of the hinges on which history turned.
No fewer than six different ways are given.
1. Tiberius Caesar, successor to Augustus, 2nd Emperor.
(14 A.D. - 37 A.D. --15th year 29 A.D.) Rome.

2. Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea, 26-36 AD Palestine
In one sentence Luke gives a panoramic view of the division of the Kingdom which had once belonged to Herod the Great until he died in 4 B.C.

3. Religious situation: Annas and Caiaphas.
Only one High Priest served at a time. Romans appointed Priests.
Annas was High Priest (7-14 AD but succeeded by
four sons and Caiaphas, Son-in-law. Annas was the power behind the
Priesthood. That was why Jesus was brought before to Annas when he was arrested. (John 18:13)

During this time conditions in the world and Palestine were dark and desperate. In the reign of Tiberius Caesar moral degeneration and political chaos characterized the Roman Empire, which in the course of time brought about its downfall. Chaos was also was present in the religious life of the God’s people. (Priests arbitrarily deposed and replaced by Romans - Political Peace.) During this dark and desperate period John Came ...

“Prepare the Way by Repenting, receiving forgiveness of sin and being baptized.” Repentance has two sides: Turning away from sin and turning toward God. Do both.

As we prepare for Christ’s coming, let us continue asking God to point the areas that need forgiveness and trust in God alone to guide us.
Focus on Jesus, listen afresh to his words and respond obediently to his direction. You are not an outsider. No one wanting to follow Jesus will be left out.

All mankind will see God’s salvation.
This does not mean that all who see will respond. John 1:6-18
(He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Yet to all those who received him, to those who believed in his name,
he gave the right to become children of God. - v. 12)

Revelation 1:7 Look, he is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see him.
Even those who pierced him,
and all the peoples of the earth will
mourn because of him.
So shall it be! Amen.

Unlike preparing for the visit of my sister and brother-in law, who we knew were arriving on Thanksgiving morning' we neither know the time or the day of Jesus’ Coming. Hope is the assurance he will come. It could be any time.                              Imagine that you knew for certain Jesus would come on this December 25.                    How would you prepare? When He comes all will see him. Will you be ready for him? Will you be scouring around?

Read Philippians 1:1-11, Imagine it is written to you.

1-2 Paul and Timothy, both of us committed servants of Christ Jesus, write this letter to all the followers of Jesus in Philippi, pastors and ministers included. We greet you with the grace and peace that comes from God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ.
3-6 Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.
7-8 It's not at all fanciful for me to think this way about you. My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God. He knows how much I love and miss you these days. Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does!
9-11 So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.

*Scriptures are quoted from The Bible: "The Message" , Eugene H, Peterson, 2002.