Reflections on "Finding Comfort" Isaiah 40: 1-11; Mark 1: 1-8

I ended up with three points for the sermon, but only could use two.  In the initial draft, I had the first point (God comforts) leading to a second point (How we respond), and the highway image was left out.  Just before going to bed Saturday night, I decided to switch and put the highway image back in and take out "how we respond."  I did so primarily because the highway image was one I had never played with before, so I wanted to do that.  It worked okay, but I think that the highway image might have been better saved for another Advent sermon so that I could have focused the whole sermon on that image.  At one point, I had the thought of exits signs along the highways and what they might be (i.e. -- repentance, comfort) and how we decide which exit to take.  But, I never got that far in the sermon preparation.

The point I left out has some fascinating aspects.  For example, after God declares comfort for the people of Jerusalem, they are told to shout from the mountaintop, "here is your God."  I find that an interesting expectation.

Isaiah 40 also has the powerful image of the shepherd carrying the sheep.  Another great sermon opportunity.

Part of my decision-making on the sermon was based on knowing it needed to be a short sermon with communion and a baptism at the 11:00 worship service.  As it turned out, we went rather long.  Not sure if I could have cut more of the sermon, but...

The chapel service got the better sermon yesterday.  My timing was just a bit off in the sanctuary for some reason.  The chapel has been on the short end of the stick lately, so I guess they were due!  Interestingly, the reference to The Long, Long Trailer seemed to connect more with the chapel crowd. I mostly got blank stares when I mentioned it at the sanctuary service.

“finding Comfort” Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1: 1-8; Advent 2; FPC; December 4, 2011

Introduction: Two images for Advent

Move 1:God as the one who chooses to comfort.

a. Isaiah begins this passage with God's command – “Comfort, comfort, my people”

1. On the one hand, we might expect that.
2. When we need comfort, we have been told, and we have found it true in times previously, that God provides comfort.
3. On the other hand, much of Isaiah has been spent exposing how the people of Jerusalem, God's people have “prospered through wickedness, oppression, lies and injustice, refusing to heed the prophets' calls to repent, reform and be reconciled to God.”  (Elna K. Solvang, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011)
4. .In fact, Isaiah and the other prophets make it clear that when Babylon destroys Jerusalem and sends the Israelites into exile, it is the well-deserved punishment.
5. And, Isaiah makes it clear that the Israelites will sin again "All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field." This voice sees a future for the people of Jerusalem no different from their past. 

b. But there is God, claiming the Israelites as “my people” and commanding the heavenly council listening to “speak tenderly.”

1. Imagine parents who confronts their children for cheating on a test at school for the third time, or drawing all over the walls of their bedroom with permanent markers again; or getting caught using illegal substances again; or sneaking out the car at night again.
2. Does the parent speak tenderly? I don't think so. The volume of the discussion would be rather high, I suspect.
3. But God, who has been betrayed and knows betrayal waits in the future, “speaking tenderly” to people God claims as “my people.”

500. This image of God reminds us that the coming of Christ that we anticipate is not about who we are, but about who God is.
     God is the one who chooses to save by claiming us as God's own people.
     Not about who Israel is, but who God is.
     Move 2: Second image: Highway  (http://bloomingcactus.typepad.com/about.htmlTodd Weir)
     a. Isaiah reports that the voice cries out make straight in the desert a highway for our God,” which is what we see John the Baptizer doing in the opening verses of the Gospel of Mark.
     1. We know the importance of highways for quick and easy travel (mostly).
     2. some of you may remember the days before interstate highways
     b. Israel also knew the importance of highways.

1. Israel's lifeblood was the main highway that brought trade into their region.
2. A path through the wilderness.
3. Highways also brought difficulties – bandits; soldiers that came to conquer could do so in part because of the highways.

4. part of the biblical record – Paul on the road to Damascus; Good Samaritan; Peter baptizes the Ethiopian eunuch

100. The image of making a highway for God suggests a very important task, but also a task that will be a challenge.

1. John the Baptizer reminds us in part of the challenge of preparing the way for God when he calls on us to “repent.”

2. God acts in Christ, and that act calls for a response – repent.

500. 1950s Movie “The Long, Long Trailer” starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Movie that came out to build on the success of the “I Love Lucy” TV show.
     After throwing all the rocks over the mountain and descending the mountain in silence, they go their separate ways; the highway trip appears to have ended their marriage before it really began; but then, in a feelgood movie ending, they reunite on that rainy night. Love does prevail.
     Conclusion: Isaiah and John have a little more important story to tell.
     But the ending matches up – God's love prevails.

Christ has come. And Christ will come again.