12.1 “Come Let Us Adore Him”

First Sunday of Advent  (Hope)

Sunday, December 1

“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.”    Isaiah 40:1-2 *

 

The good news proclaimed in the Gospel of Isaiah 40.1 – 2 are the words Handel chose for the opening chorus of Messiah. The prophetic words of Isaiah, declare God’s forgiveness to Israel.

As God’s instrument for many years, Isaiah’s proclamations to the people were harsh – warning the Israelites that they would pay for their sins if they did not heed his words.  After many years in captivity, God was going to release the people to return to their homeland and He instructed Isaiah to use gentle words.  The people had paid for their sins “in full.”

Today all, Jews and Gentiles alike, are given the same wonderful announcement concerning our sins. In II Corinthians, Paul proclaims, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the ministry of reconciliation.” (II Corinthians 5:19 RSV) That is the gospel—the good news. You may feel burdened about the mistakes, the wrong things you have done, or the hurt you have caused. To you this wondrous word of forgiveness and reconciliation is directed. All that is needed is to confess your sinfulness and believe that God himself has borne your sins: Your iniquity is pardoned, you have received from the Lord the double for all your sins.

 

Prayer:

Thank you, Father for the comfort of Your forgiveness that is offered to me through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen

Jim Kerner