Loving God, you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the light in the darkness and to set the captives free. Help us to experience the light and life that he brings in our own lives that we, too, might be beacons of hope in this world; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our theme for today is proclaiming the coming – proclaiming the coming of Christ. This theme comes from our readings for today, which proclaim the good news in a number of different ways – and, in several cases, this proclamation leads to rejoicing. In this darkest time of the year, we can use some cause for rejoicing, as well as some light in the darkness.

One of the proclamations from today’s readings is of liberty for the captives and freedom for the slaves. It is a proclamation that would have reminded people of the year of jubilee. Have any of you ever heard of the year of jubilee that is described in the Old Testament (Lev. 25)? ...Can you tell me anything about it? ... every fiftieth year ... a sabbath year (no sowing or reaping) ... property returned to ancestral heirs ... slaves set free to return to their families.

Essentially, it worked like this: If you got yourself into trouble and had to sell your family home or the farm, you would be able to return to your home at the next jubilee year. If you got yourself into so much trouble that you were forced to sell yourself as a slave, that other person could only keep you until the next year of jubilee. Property could not be sold in perpetuity because the land belonged to God. Children of Israel could not continue as slaves, for God had rescued them from slavery in Egypt.

So, if you had been forced to give up your ancestral home or the family farm, wouldn’t you rejoice when the year of jubilee came and you could return home? And if you had been forced to go and serve as a slave, wouldn’t it be a time of rejoicing for you when you could go and rejoin your family? That is the kind of proclamation that we hear today from the prophet Isaiah! This is the same proclamation that is later made by Jesus, as he reads this passage from Isaiah in the synagogue (Lk. 4:16-20). The message is this: Liberty! Freedom! Rejoice!

Undoubtedly there are some people today who still know what it feels like to be a slave or who have lost their homes or their farms. Yet, I would suggest that there are other things today that hold people in bondage. Are there any things that come to mind for you that keep people in bondage today? (Debt - addictions - keeping up appearances - sense of entitlement - indulging various appetites - literal slavery (sex trade) - attachments - fixed ideas) Many people live their lives in bondage to one or more of these things.

To all those who experience such bondage, the Scriptures proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners and good news for the oppressed and healing for the brokenhearted. These things are proclaimed and happen for us through Jesus Christ. Do we see how this is true? Do we see how faith in Jesus Christ frees people from the things that keep us in bondage?

Let’s take debt as an example, seeing as it is very much in the news these days. How does having faith in Jesus Christ help you in dealing with debt? Those who like proof-texts might point to Paul’s letter to the Romans where he writes, “Owe no one anything” (Rom. 13:8). There is wisdom in this, for all of us are challenged to live within our means. However, might there be times when we are actually called to go into debt?

I wonder how many churches would have been built without taking on some debt? How many people would actually have homes to live in without taking out a mortgage? How many people would be able to train as doctors or nurses or pastors or teachers or for other professions without taking on some debt in order to go to school? Although some people might prefer a black and white world, I don’t think you can simply say, “Don’t ever go into debt.”

At base, having faith in Jesus Christ comes into the picture in how we make our decisions surrounding debt and finances. What is luxury and what is necessity? What things will really matter when viewed in the light of eternity? Are we concerned about treasures on earth or treasures in heaven? Do we understand that our self-worth and our value comes, not from how much stuff we have and how expensive it is, but from God, who has created us, redeemed us, and made us holy? Do we understand that material things will never satisfy our longing for life in all its fulness? Do we understand that paying more and more in interest severely limits what we can do with what God has entrusted to us?

Faith in Jesus Christ leads us into the truth. At least some of the things that hold people in bondage are based on illusion. Some examples: The illusion that our worth comes from what others think. The illusion that any amount of insurance or savings can keep us “secure.” The illusion that security comes from any source other than God. The illusion that we are entitled to whatever we want whenever we want it. The illusion that we will have more if we hang on tight like a miser. The illusion that the whole world should revolve around us.

There is good reason that Paul writes to the Romans, “be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2). So much of Jesus’ teaching was aimed at getting people to see things differently. His parables challenged people to break out of their pre-conceived notions about God, about themselves and about other people. Some were excited by what they heard and saw in Jesus. Others felt threatened and responded “La, la, la, I can’t hear you...”. For some, Jesus continued to walk among them as one whom they did not know (Jn. 1:26).

And how about us? Are we stuck in fixed ideas, or are we open to the Holy Spirit? Do we insist on viewing the world according to our rules, or are we open to God’s view of the world? An example: Many people look at the world, see terrible things happening, and wonder why God doesn’t do something about it. Other people look at the world, see the same things happening, feel God’s love and compassion for those who suffer, and work to bring healing and wholeness in their little corner of the world. These people recognize that God has “done something about it” through Jesus Christ, and that human beings are still free to make their own choices. These people also recognize that Christ is present in the world now through us and among us. God expects us to act, too!

Today we are challenged to allow our minds to be renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit. In today’s readings, there is movement from darkness to light, from tears to joy, from mourning to gladness, from humility to exaltation, from woundedness to healing, from captivity to liberty, and from oppression to freedom. It is God who does this through Jesus Christ. Is this not worth proclaiming? – For Christ is coming, not just at the end of all things, but today, into all hearts that are open to him. Thanks be to God! Amen.

Advent 3(B)     Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
December 14, 2008     John 1:6-8, 19-28
St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church
Pastor Lynne Hutchison

© 2008 Lynne Hutchison  All Rights Reserved