READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l This second Sunday in Advent, we read the story of Jesus in the Gospels. Jesus’ birth is a miraculous event. There is the miracle of the Virgin Birth, followed by multiple appearances of angels delivering messages to God’s people. These events culminate with the Word of God coming to John the Baptist.
1. The Revelation of God (v2)
‘The Word of God came’ to John the Baptist. This is a prophetic expression which suggests the fulfilment of God’s promise:
i) The ‘Word’ represents the intimate revelation of God’s character through His divine speech. We can only know someone intimately by what they reveal to us. God’s Word reveals His character, nature and desires. For 400 years, it seemed as if God had stopped revealing Himself to the Jews. Jesus’ miraculous arrival ends the 400 years of silence.
ii) ‘The Word of God came’ is a traditional prophetic expression used by many of the prophets in the Old Testament to express God’s sacred authority.
iii) The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14) God’s intimate revelation became a Person to live with us, so that He could save us. Jesus came so that all humans could clearly see God’s nature through Jesus’ life. Jesus is our role model and hope of redemption. It is as the Scripture authors have written: ‘the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned’. (Matthew 4:16, Isaiah 9:2)
2. The Reception of God’s Salvation (v3-6)
The ministry of John the Baptist fulfils Isaiah’s prophecy that ‘all flesh shall see the salvation of God’. (v6, Isaiah 40:5) God’s salvation is revealed through His Word, and it comes in the person of Jesus. Jesus identified Himself as ‘the way, the truth and the life’; the only way to know God the Father. (John 14:6) The truth of God’s salvation must be learnt through relationship with Jesus in love, trust and obedience. It is not a membership status, a formula, or philosophy.
Before we receive God’s salvation through Jesus, we must spiritually prepare our hearts to be receptive. The prophecy in v4-5 is taken from Isaiah 40:3-4, and it describes how a herald physically prepares the way for the King to visit a village. In v3, John the Baptist taught the people to spiritually prepare their hearts through:
i) Repentance: Recognise that my sinful way is not helpful, and God’s way is better. I must turn from my sin, humbly trust and obey God.
ii) Baptism: I must be humble to receive God’s salvation. The Jews thought of God’s salvation as an entitlement by heritage, not a gift. They did not see the need to be baptised. Baptism requires humility, putting aside our pride and relying on God alone for salvation.
The prophecy in v4-5 gives us some guidance on how we can prepare our hearts to receive Jesus:
• Filling the valley = Healing our hurts
• Making the mountains and hills low = Humbling ourselves
• Making the crooked become straight… = Repenting of our sin
• And the rough places level = Submitting to God in trust and obedience
3. The Reporting of God’s Word (v3-4)
John the Baptist proclaimed the coming of Christ. As recipients of the Good News, we should share it! The Christmas message is often diluted by materialist messages of gifts, pleasure and merriment… taking the focus away from Christ! Apostle Paul asks us: ‘How are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard?’ (Romans 10:14) People will only find out the meaning of Christmas if we share it. As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News!’ (Romans 10:15, Isaiah 52:7)
Consider how we can be a blessing by:
• Sending Christmas greetings, gifts and messages
• Inviting others to the Christmas service, Alpha, Christmas @ Orchard CCIS
• Joining COSC’s outreach to the community
• Going on missions to go beyond geographic boundaries
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- How has the coming of God’s word brought courage/hope/joy in my worst struggle in life?
- How has the gospel message been ‘hijacked’ by our current Christmas culture? How can I represent the true message of Christmas?
- How can I share the message of Jesus to others in my home, workplace, school, community, or beyond Singapore?
