SUNDAY’S COMING: BIBLE STUDY –
Bible Study for The Second Sunday of Advent (12/09/18)
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The Gospel: Luke 3:1-6In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"
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Points to Ponder:
In Advent we hear the words of prophets, and in this Gospel reading we are introduced to the work of John that was foreshadowed for us in the Benedictus, the Song of Zechariah (John’s father). Luke wants us to know that we are in time, for he will later relate to us a Jesus who does things within the fullness of time. And so, in time, we meet John, son of Zechariah. The panoply of rulers, Tiberias, Pilate, etc. will be the subject of Jesus’ teaching – the world in which the Kingdom of God might be found in spite of these rulers. There are other important references, the wilderness, and the Jordan – the setting of Ancient Israel’s story and wanderings, and the place of refreshment for prophets, and for Jesus. It is a place away from the kingdoms of this world. The audience for this message is loosely indicated, so we hear at words to the crowds. Later as the gospel unveils itself, we will realize the various peoples that these crowds entail. It is Luke’s hint of his focus on the “little ones”, the poor.
A quotation from Isaiah (40:4-5) describes John and his mission. Thus, Luke connects John to all that has gone before in the prophets, and all that is to come in Jesus. In Mary’s song there are a series of reversals, “He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.” In Isaiah’s song “valleys are filled and rough ways made smooth.” Or as it was put fairly recently, “the times, they are a’changin’.” Isaiah’s hopes are well mated with Luke’s agenda in the words, “and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Take Away: What does this mean for my life? Some questions –
1. How would you describe John the Baptist’s mission?
2. What is your mission?
3. How is your message like his?
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After studying the Word, you might want to pray the Collect for Sunday:
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Traditions Today: THE COLORS OF ADVENT
Historically, the primary sanctuary color of Advent is Purple. This is the color of penitence and fasting as well as the color of royalty to welcome the Advent of the King. Purple is still used in some traditions (for example Roman Catholic). The purple of Advent is also the color of suffering used during Lent and Holy Week. This points to an important connection between Jesus’ birth and death. The nativity, the Incarnation, cannot be separated from the crucifixion. The purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world, of the "Word made flesh" and dwelling among us, is to reveal God and His grace to the world through Jesus’ life and teaching, but also through his suffering, death, and resurrection. To reflect this emphasis, originally Advent was a time of penitence and fasting, much as the Season of Lent and so shared the color of Lent.
In recent times, however, Advent has undergone a shift in emphasis, reflected in a change of colors used in many churches. Except in the Eastern churches, the penitential aspect of the Season has been almost totally replaced by an emphasis on hope and anticipation.
Most Protestant churches, including the Episcopal Church, now use blue to distinguish the Season of Advent from Lent. Royal Blue is sometimes used as a symbol of royalty. Some churches use Bright Blue to symbolize the night sky, the anticipation of the impending announcement of the King’s coming, or to symbolize the waters of Genesis 1, the beginning of a new creation.
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Bible Study for The Second Sunday of Advent (12/09/18)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Gospel: Luke 3:1-6In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Points to Ponder:
In Advent we hear the words of prophets, and in this Gospel reading we are introduced to the work of John that was foreshadowed for us in the Benedictus, the Song of Zechariah (John’s father). Luke wants us to know that we are in time, for he will later relate to us a Jesus who does things within the fullness of time. And so, in time, we meet John, son of Zechariah. The panoply of rulers, Tiberias, Pilate, etc. will be the subject of Jesus’ teaching – the world in which the Kingdom of God might be found in spite of these rulers. There are other important references, the wilderness, and the Jordan – the setting of Ancient Israel’s story and wanderings, and the place of refreshment for prophets, and for Jesus. It is a place away from the kingdoms of this world. The audience for this message is loosely indicated, so we hear at words to the crowds. Later as the gospel unveils itself, we will realize the various peoples that these crowds entail. It is Luke’s hint of his focus on the “little ones”, the poor.
A quotation from Isaiah (40:4-5) describes John and his mission. Thus, Luke connects John to all that has gone before in the prophets, and all that is to come in Jesus. In Mary’s song there are a series of reversals, “He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.” In Isaiah’s song “valleys are filled and rough ways made smooth.” Or as it was put fairly recently, “the times, they are a’changin’.” Isaiah’s hopes are well mated with Luke’s agenda in the words, “and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Take Away: What does this mean for my life? Some questions –
1. How would you describe John the Baptist’s mission?
2. What is your mission?
3. How is your message like his?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
After studying the Word, you might want to pray the Collect for Sunday:
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
******************************************************************************
Traditions Today: THE COLORS OF ADVENT
Historically, the primary sanctuary color of Advent is Purple. This is the color of penitence and fasting as well as the color of royalty to welcome the Advent of the King. Purple is still used in some traditions (for example Roman Catholic). The purple of Advent is also the color of suffering used during Lent and Holy Week. This points to an important connection between Jesus’ birth and death. The nativity, the Incarnation, cannot be separated from the crucifixion. The purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world, of the "Word made flesh" and dwelling among us, is to reveal God and His grace to the world through Jesus’ life and teaching, but also through his suffering, death, and resurrection. To reflect this emphasis, originally Advent was a time of penitence and fasting, much as the Season of Lent and so shared the color of Lent.
In recent times, however, Advent has undergone a shift in emphasis, reflected in a change of colors used in many churches. Except in the Eastern churches, the penitential aspect of the Season has been almost totally replaced by an emphasis on hope and anticipation.
Most Protestant churches, including the Episcopal Church, now use blue to distinguish the Season of Advent from Lent. Royal Blue is sometimes used as a symbol of royalty. Some churches use Bright Blue to symbolize the night sky, the anticipation of the impending announcement of the King’s coming, or to symbolize the waters of Genesis 1, the beginning of a new creation.
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