Note: (CL) = Controling Lesson (OT) = Old Testament (OTA) = Old Testament Alternative (NT) = New Testament (NTA) = New Testament Alternative (G) = Gospel (GA) = Gospel Alternative (Ps) = Psalm; one of these will follow all lessons for the week.

Note: Please be sure to look at previous posts because some of the week may have already been posted.


Sunday, December 16, 2012

The Fourth Sunday of Advent (OT)

Isaiah 40:1-11
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, 
and cry to her 
that her warfare is ended, 
that her iniquity is pardoned, 
that she has received from the Lord’s hand 
double for all her sins. 
A voice cries: 
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; 
make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 
Every valley shall be lifted up, 
and every mountain and hill be made low; 
the uneven ground shall become level, 
and the rough places a plain. 
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, 
and all flesh shall see it together, 
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” 
A voice says, “Cry!” 
And I said, “What shall I cry?” 
All flesh is grass, 
and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. 
The grass withers, the flower fades 
when the breath of the Lord blows on it; 
surely the people are grass. 
The grass withers, the flower fades, 
but the word of our God will stand forever. 
Go on up to a high mountain, 
O Zion, herald of good news; 
lift up your voice with strength, 
O Jerusalem, herald of good news; 
lift it up, fear not; 
say to the cities of Judah, 
“Behold your God!” 
10  Behold, the Lord God comes with might, 
and his arm rules for him; 
behold, his reward is with him, 
and his recompense before him. 
11  He will tend his flock like a shepherd; 
he will gather the lambs in his arms; 
he will carry them in his bosom, 
and gently lead those that are with young. 

The Lord desires to comfort his people.  The Lord sends his people a messenger.  But what should the messenger really cry aloud?  All God's people should cry aloud the good news.  They should shout it from roof tops.

God is coming to his people.  God is coming to tend his flocks.  The problem is that all flesh is like grass.  All life seems to fade.  The word of our God will stand forever and out last all of us.  But there is a voice bringing good news from Zion.

The Lord God is going to come to his people.  God is going to gather his lambs in his arm.  He is going to provided them with comfort.  He is going to remove the iniquity of their transgressions.  This is the good news for people who are like grass, because it is also the offer of everlasting life.



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