Nov 22 2005

Luke 1:5-17

Category: Uncategorized — dryvetyme @ 20:27

First Week of Advent
November 27, 2005

We have here the initial section of the Christmas story, the coming of the angel of the Lord to visit Zechariah and tell him of the upcoming birth of John the Baptist. This story is crucial because, since John is both born before Jesus and ministers in expectation of Jesus’ ministry as the Messiah, it is important for the kids to sense the feelings of excitement and nervousness that Zechariah felt upon hearing this news. Israel has just experienced 400 years without a prophet of any kind, without any word from God at all. John the Baptist will change all that, as he prepares the people for and proclaims the arrival of the soon-coming Messiah. Thus, the inclusion of the story of Zechariah & Elizabeth into the Christmas story is crucial.

Nov 22 2005

Mark 13:24-37

Category: Uncategorized — dryvetyme @ 20:26

First Week of Advent
November 27, 2005

Let’s begin by putting this to rest – Jesus was absolutely specific that no one knows when the Messiah would be returning, not even Him. So, my commentary and thoughts on this passage won’t be taking a Preterist, Partial-Preterist, Dispensationalist, or any other sort of position on the End Times. And you thought you could draw me into THAT discussion. Fat chance you have with that… I have long resolved to not worry with such silly arguments to prevalent amongst eschatological conversations. Jesus told us to watch and pray, and pretty much told us not to bitch, moan, and argue about who’s right, who’s the elect, and when He’s coming back again. We only watch the events to back up our pre-determined positions and we certainly don’t pray. So, on with the show… **stepping off my soapbox**

In the 23 verses before our reading, Jesus discusses and lays out a variety of signs that will foretell His Return. Some concern families, some are about global politics, some are warnings about what will happen to those who believe in Jesus, and some detail the arrival of false messiahs. However, our passage begins with Jesus describing His arrival – “the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” (Mark 13:24b-25) Not a very pleasant image, but it’s the one that Jesus said would announce Him. Jesus would be sending his angels to collect the elect from the ends of the earth.
Continue reading “Mark 13:24-37″

Nov 22 2005

I Corinthians 1:3-9

Category: Uncategorized — dryvetyme @ 18:55

First Week of Advent
November 27, 2005

Paul speaks here on the other side of the First Advent of Jesus Christ, but with the same sense of anticipation that the prophets spoke hundreds of years before Christ’s birth. The Early Church believed that Jesus would be coming in their lifetimes (Mark 13:26-30), so Paul is petitioning the Church in Corinth to stay to their course, stay trusting in the grace of Jesus to save & protect them, and stay faithful as God is faithful to them. Because of Jesus, Paul declares, it fully possible to wait for His arrival, patiently & without blame. Jesus came once and promised to come again. We wait for His arrival, relying on Him completely in the interim.

Nov 22 2005

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Category: Uncategorized — dryvetyme @ 18:42

First Week of Advent
November 27, 2005

The portions we are reading of this psalm are similar to those we read in Isaiah, except that the people singing here are much more direct in their exaltations to God. They plainly see their failings and openly, blatantly beseech God to restore them, to visit them anew. They know that God has left them and are praying that He will visit them again. They have left their cynicism and the sin that caused their grief. They fully realize that it is their sin that brought the tears, brought the enemy’s hatred, derision, and mocking. Israel knows that only God can save them from themselves, from the mess in which they have placed themselves. And on top of all of this repentance, they proclaim the arrival of the Messiah, knowing that His presence will make all of the difference. They have mourned & wept and now they seek their deliverance, since they were unable to fix themselves on their terms, only getting deeper into trouble. “Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we might be saved. (Psalm 80:7, 19 TNIV) They wait expectantly on the arrival of the Lord.

Nov 22 2005

Isaiah 64:1-9

Category: Uncategorized — dryvetyme @ 18:30

First Week of Advent
November 27, 2005

On one hand, I am rather full of anticipation of having the privilege and honor of helping to lead Ecclesia’s children through the Advent Season as we approach the celebration and commemoration of the birth of our Saviour. On the other hand, I am rather full of nervousness and trepidation at the prospect of examining these verses on behalf of the children at Ecclesia, not that I don’t feel up to it, but that this is a rather large task for which I’ve been made responsible. But regardless, I am looking forward to digging into these verses, coupled with arranging them with the traditional Christmas story. Join with me as we read, pray, meditate, and yearn with expectation as the arrival of the Christ child approaches.

Isaiah 64:1-9: I read through this passages attempting to place myself in the context in which Isaiah would have been proclaiming this lament on behalf of the people of Israel (or even on behalf of himself). I wondered what would have brought about this combination of declaring God’s promises, lamenting my indiscretions, and turning back to Him. And then I found that I couldn’t do it, at least not in the physical sense in which it was originally written. I have never been carted away to a foreign country in captivity because I sinned against God, though I knew better and had been protected and delivered by Him over and over again.
Continue reading “Isaiah 64:1-9″

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