Weekly Devotion
Published 11/28/2023 Isaiah 64:1-9; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 11:1-10 Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Each season of the church year can be summed up in usually
one word. For Advent, that one word is “Come.” It’s literally the name of the
season. Advent means “to come”. Listen throughout this season and you’ll be
sure to hear that word repeated time and again. Advent is all about the coming
of Christ, his first “Advent”. Advent is also a time of preparation because of this coming.
Like guests on their way to visit, you must prepare your home to welcome them
rightly. Many will tidy up before guests come so as to make a positive first
impression. Advent is our time to “tidy up” ourselves in preparation for the
coming Messiah. We seek to put our sins away, return to the “clean” ways of God
so we can greet His Messiah rightly. Advent always begins with the reading of the Triumphal Entry
into Jerusalem. It’s a reminder that Jesus comes as a king. Even as we read, “Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Mark 11:9. Israel
had long awaited the coming of their savior, the messiah. They wanted him to come
so that they could finally be free. Only when God had come to be with
Israel were they truly free. God came to dwell with his people in the Exodus so
they might be set free from slavery in Egypt. God came regularly through the
judges to grant freedom from other nations. God came in his servant David to
grant peace and freedom. Consider the cries of the people when Jesus rode into
Jerusalem: “Hosanna…” meaning “save us”. Advent reminds us that we too need
saving. We too need Jesus, the Messiah to come and rescue us from the enemies
who afflict us. It’s not from other nations, or governments though. It’s from
our own sin. We are afflicted and oppressed by Satan and sin that we desire our
Lord to come and set us free. Such is the prayer of Advent, “Stir up Your power, O Lord,
and come!” It’s not within our power to clean ourselves up. We need
Jesus to come and do it for us. We need his rescue and deliverance. We need a
savior. “Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down…” Isaiah 64:1. Even
as we await Jesus’ coming… on Christmas… on the last day… or in his Word and
sacraments, we hear his promise… “Surely I am coming soon,” (Revelation
22:20). Indeed, Jesus is coming to be with us. He comes as a lowly babe on
Christmas, meek and mild. Yet, it’s his coming that guarantees our deliverance.
For here is the King who will set us free. Here is God who has rent the heavens
wide so that he may shower us with his forgiveness, mercy, and grace to be
poured out on the cross. God has rent the heavens wide and broken through the
barrier of our sin that he may bring to us joy and peace! Pastor Sorenson Prayer: Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by Your
protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved
by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!
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