Musical Prelude and Service

Isaiah 11:1-10 & Matthew 3:1–12
The Proclamation of John the Baptist
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, ‘Repent, for
the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke
when he said,
‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” ’
Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was
locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and
all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing
their sins.
But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You
brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of
repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I
tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is
lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down
and thrown into the fire.’
‘I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after
me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing-fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat
into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’
Jesse’s stump. What does that mean?
Jesse is the father of David, the beloved King of Israel. It is suspected this passage was written
around the time Babylon conquered Judah and dragged the rulers and the people of authority
off into exile. There is the belief the royal line of David has come to an end. The thought of
another ruler from the line of David seems pretty much impossible at this point.
To the people of Judah and Jerusalem, this image is confirming that nothing can possibly grow
there now.
And yet, Isaiah, says new growth can and will come from that root. In God all things are
possible; and where we see ruin and death. Where we see no possibility for growth, God will
make things grow.
This passage from Isaiah is a promise of something new. It is a promise of new life for the
people of Judah and Jerusalem. It is an assurance God has not forgotten or abandoned the
people of Israel. But more than that, God promises that something new will be new in a great
many ways.
Let us not forget that Isaiah does not spare the feelings of Judah’s king. Nor does he spare the
royalty and the powerful of Judah prior to the invasion by Babylon. Isaiah makes it clear that
the rulers of the kingdom have governed unjustly. That the rich have exploited the poor,
leaving people hungry; stealing land and homes. They have forced people to work for little and
left them hungry.
Essentially Isaiah says they have lost their right and their privilege to govern and rule God’s
people.
But the new growth that will come from the root of Jesse will be filled with God’s spirit.
This new ruler who is promised will govern justly. The poor will be judged fairly, and this
promised ruler will govern with righteousness and faith.
Yet again we are offered an example of a prophet speaking clearly about the state of the world
in front of him, but also offering a vision of what the world can be, if we have faith and live
with the hope of what can be; if we have the courage and purpose to work towards this world.
But Isaiah also sees room on this holy mountain he imagines for all of God’s creatures. Isaiah
notes there are predators and prey. There are poisonous serpents and innocent children.
And yet there is room for all of them. But that does not mean all actions are accepted.
The leopards and the lions who hunt the goats and lambs will turn to eating straw.
The vipers who are so dangerous will not attack the children who rest on their nests.
We are called to change our destructive and self-interested behaviours. We are called to give
some thought to those who have lost their voice and their power. We are called to take action
for those who are going hungry or who have lost their homes. We are called to live with
respect in creation.
Isaiah constantly turns to nature imagery to emphasize his point about the world we live in
and the world this can be. Because we are part of God’s wondrous creation, and we are called
to take the care and stewardship of this creation seriously. We are to see at more than a
resource simply waiting to be exploited for our personal gain.
Scripture keeps challenging us to look with clear eyes at the world around us. To recognize the
ways, we have lost our way and have taken for granted what God has blessed to us.
Today’s reading from the gospel of Matthew has John the baptizer announcing the coming of
the Messiah. It is an announcement that change is in the air. He is not bringing this change
himself, but he is here to announce it. And he challenges us to ask; are we prepared for what is
coming? Are we living in a way that we can stand before Jesus and say, I am with you?
But he also assures his listeners that there is time; there is always time; to change our course.
To repent. Can we recognize the ways our actions have harmed others; or have ignored the
plight of our fellow creatures in God’s world?
Today is the second Sunday of Advent. It is dedicated to Peace. There is little explicit talk of
peace so far in this reflection. You see, peace is more than merely an absence of violence.
Oh, those who are in power may be satisfied with that definition. It works for them. They don’t
have to be concerned about violence when those they rule over are too beaten down or
terrified to challenge their rule.
But in a world dominated by one particular class or group; who keep power by the threat of
violence and the occasional use of that violence as a reminder of who is in charge; it is not
really a state of peace that is the status quo.
Isaiah offers a vision of a peace that comes from a place of real justice, where the poor and the
meek are offered the same opportunities; the same voice and the same promise as everyone
else who exists on God’s holy mountain. This is a peace built on a foundation of love and
justice; a peace centred on love and mercy.
It can sometimes seem that such a vision of what can be is a long way from being a reality. We
can look at the world around us and wonder how it can possibly come to be considering the
infertile ground for such a vision. And yet, Isaiah tells us God can find and draw forth new life
in even the harshest or barren of lands. In fact, it is possible the seeds of such change have
already been planted are beginning to find purchase. If we look carefully; or at the very least
keep our eyes open, we may spot the signs of new growth beginning to peak through; offering
us a sign of hope and a sign of peace.
Thanks be to God.

Music provided with permission through licensing with CCLI License number
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