6 December 2015 - on the level

[ Today's Readings ]

We are called to prepare for the coming of Jesus.

We are called to make his paths level and smooth. Let us fill the valleys of sorrow in our hearts with joy. Let us take off the robe of mourning and misery and put on the splendor of the glory of God. Why are we still wearing this robe of sadness when there is a robe of joy available to us? It's true that it isn't Christmas yet. We're still waiting for Jesus to come to us. But if we trust in his promise we need not wait in misery. In some ways our hearts are like the children of Jerusalem who were led away by our enemies, the world, the flesh, and the devil. Freedom is not yet fully ours. But from our vantage point we can see them being returned to us.

Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights;
look to the east and see your children
gathered from the east and the west
at the word of the Holy One,
rejoicing that they are remembered by God.

But we can't embrace this joy if we don't get prepare his way. If we're too passive we'll miss it entirely. We have to raise those valleys of despair. We have to level those mountains of pride. Both are an excessive focus on self that make the joy of the LORD hard to see. It isn't our own effort that does this. But our choice is necessary nevertheless.

The only heights that we should leave in place are the ones from which we can see the mighty deeds of God. These are places where we recall all that the LORD has done for us.

Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed. 

And these are places where we look forward in hope to what he has yet to do.

Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.

We know he is faithful. Because of all he has done in us already we can be confident that he will fulfill every promise he makes.

I am confident of this,
that the one who began a good work in you
will continue to complete it 
until the day of Christ Jesus.

We can be confident because we serve a God who acts in history. It isn't subjective wishful thinking. It is as real as Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, and the tetrarchs Philip and Lysanias. It is as real as the high priests Annas and Caiphas. All of them are historical. So is Jesus. Historical is the salvation he came to offer. Historical are all of the many blessings he gives to each one of us. And we look forward to his promises being fulfilled in a way that is every bit as real.