Advent 2
Preaching
Hear My Voice
Preaching The Lectionary Psalms for Cycles A, B, C
Object:
(See Christ The King/Proper 29, Cycle C, for an alternative approach.)
The Benedictus, the prophecy and song of blessing voiced by Zechariah after the birth of his son John (the Baptist), falls into two parts. The first (vv. 68-75) praises God for the coming messiah and Israel's deliverer. "He has raised up a mighty savior" (v. 69). The second focus of Zechariah's song is thanksgiving to God for the forerunner who prepares the way for the Messiah to come (vv. 76-79). After all, it is the occasion of John the Baptist's birth and the significance of his life revealed to Zechariah by the Angel Gabriel that inspired the song in the first place.
Interestingly, even while Zechariah is speaking directly to his son about the role he will play (v. 76), he continues speaking about the significance of the coming Messiah. John's role, while important, would always be secondary to the work of the anointed one. In the language of the Gospel of John, the Baptist would have a recurring role to play in the drama of redemption, summed up in the prophet's own words: "he must increase, I must decrease." Even though he is called the "prophet of the most high," he nevertheless declares himself unworthy to even untie the Messiah's sandals.
The theme at work here, of course, is "preparation." John announces the Lord's coming so all may be ready to receive him. As we celebrate John's role as the one who prepares the way of the Lord, we learn to appreciate the significance of those who stand in the background. As we prepare ourselves for Advent, John's secondary role becomes an important one for helping us understand our own role in God's work.
A popular country gospel song from several years ago observed, "No one wants to play rhythm guitar for Jesus anymore." In the world of country bands, the rhythm guitar player is not the star. It is the lead guitar player who makes all the dramatic licks and runs. It is the lead guitar player who carries the melody. The rhythm guitar is just in the background, providing the basic chords from which the lead player makes the music.
The notion that "No one wants to play rhythm guitar for Jesus," recognizes how easy it is to move Jesus into the wings of our lives, and move our own desires onto center stage. If we are not careful, even Advent can become about what we want, instead of about who Jesus is.
In other words, we are followers of the Messiah along with John the Baptist and others. In that position we are called upon to follow John's example and say in regard to Jesus' presence in our lives, "I must decrease, he must increase."
As we learn to say those words, we also join John the Baptist in his work of preparing the world to receive its king. As we prepare to receive him into our own lives, we may find that we are helping others benefit from our efforts to put Jesus first in the season.
-- J. E.
The Benedictus, the prophecy and song of blessing voiced by Zechariah after the birth of his son John (the Baptist), falls into two parts. The first (vv. 68-75) praises God for the coming messiah and Israel's deliverer. "He has raised up a mighty savior" (v. 69). The second focus of Zechariah's song is thanksgiving to God for the forerunner who prepares the way for the Messiah to come (vv. 76-79). After all, it is the occasion of John the Baptist's birth and the significance of his life revealed to Zechariah by the Angel Gabriel that inspired the song in the first place.
Interestingly, even while Zechariah is speaking directly to his son about the role he will play (v. 76), he continues speaking about the significance of the coming Messiah. John's role, while important, would always be secondary to the work of the anointed one. In the language of the Gospel of John, the Baptist would have a recurring role to play in the drama of redemption, summed up in the prophet's own words: "he must increase, I must decrease." Even though he is called the "prophet of the most high," he nevertheless declares himself unworthy to even untie the Messiah's sandals.
The theme at work here, of course, is "preparation." John announces the Lord's coming so all may be ready to receive him. As we celebrate John's role as the one who prepares the way of the Lord, we learn to appreciate the significance of those who stand in the background. As we prepare ourselves for Advent, John's secondary role becomes an important one for helping us understand our own role in God's work.
A popular country gospel song from several years ago observed, "No one wants to play rhythm guitar for Jesus anymore." In the world of country bands, the rhythm guitar player is not the star. It is the lead guitar player who makes all the dramatic licks and runs. It is the lead guitar player who carries the melody. The rhythm guitar is just in the background, providing the basic chords from which the lead player makes the music.
The notion that "No one wants to play rhythm guitar for Jesus," recognizes how easy it is to move Jesus into the wings of our lives, and move our own desires onto center stage. If we are not careful, even Advent can become about what we want, instead of about who Jesus is.
In other words, we are followers of the Messiah along with John the Baptist and others. In that position we are called upon to follow John's example and say in regard to Jesus' presence in our lives, "I must decrease, he must increase."
As we learn to say those words, we also join John the Baptist in his work of preparing the world to receive its king. As we prepare to receive him into our own lives, we may find that we are helping others benefit from our efforts to put Jesus first in the season.
-- J. E.
