Sermon

Mark 1:1-8

Eyes of Faith

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Mark 1:1-8

Eyes of Faith

How can re possibly get from here to there? How can we bridge the unbridgeable gap? These questions must have arisen in the minds of at least some of the Israelites who first heard the message of the prophet who was giving them a word directly from the Lord in Isaiah 65. The overwhelming bliss and joy described in this reading must have seemed unbelievable. Even wild animals and tame ones would be at peace with one another. Longevity for each older person, no infant mortality, productive agriculture, adequate housing, a promise of blessing upon their descendants; these are some of the good things God had promised to the Israelites’, urging them to “be glad and rejoice forever.”

Yet, the memory of the hard times in Babylonian captivity, the brutality of the Assyrians before that, and the many battles with the Canaanite tribes were fresh in their memories. The own sins and failures, too, were fresh in their memories. Those who took to heart the prodding of conscience by the prophets knew that God had had to urge them every step of the way, punishing when necessary, but loving them throughout.

Given their past record of tepidity and infidelities to their faith and their turning aside from the path that God had set before them, how could the Israelites expect to inherit the blessing promised them? Their great need was for a Redeemer; someone to take their place before God, someone to make the forgiveness of their sins possible. The bridge for the unbridgeable gap was, of course, Jesus Christ. The Gospel for Advent III tells of the message given by John the Baptist concerning the coming of the one who was spoken of by the prophets.

In this gospel reading, we hear John being questioned by priests and Levites sent from Jerusalem to ascertain his credentials. “Where did you come from? Who, exactly, are you? John answers only by citing his unworthiness to unlatch the sandals of this holy one.

Paul urges the Thessalonians in the epistle lesson for this Sunday not “to despise the word of the prophets.” Yet, the Israelites had again not believed or heeded the prophecy which foretold the preparation of a “highway for our God” by the one who was a lone voice crying in the wilderness. At least the physical appearance of John must have been commanded some attention. It might have enabled the hearers to listen to his message. And after hearing it, they might have believed.

What about the gospel of Advent IV? The appearance of the teen-age girl into this story of bridging the unbridgeable gap introduces a figure even less likely to command the attention of the priests and Levites. Yet she, too was spoken of by the prophets. We may assume that Mary would have heard the words of the prophets in the conversations and teachings within her family. When the angel of the Annunciation came to her, she had enough background to understand something of what the message referred to. She had a choice as to whether to receive the message and act upon it, or not. We know that she gave her full consent to, and acceptance of, the invitation given to her by God through the angel.

Let us pray that we too, given abundant evidence of the workings of God in the past, in our past, and in our present, may not fail to recognize and receive the Redeemer into our lives with our whole heart this Christmas.