The Third Sunday of Advent, December 15, 2024
The Third Sunday of Advent, December 15, 2024
“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone” Phi. 4:5). The one who possesses “reasonableness” can be known by others because they see in that one what is “fitting, right, or equitable.” In other words, reasonable persons know their limits and stays within their lane. Oh, how I wish that Adam and Eve had known their limits and stayed within them! In their striving to exceed their limits, those first parents of ours reached out, plucked the fruit, and ate their way into sin. Now, in this old creation of ours… in this world broken and afflicted by sin… now, under the conditions of our sinfulness, we regularly encourage people to exceed their limitations, to strive for more, and to refuse acknowledging any limits. Yet, God had given those first parents of ours a limit: the fruit of all the trees in the garden was theirs but for the fruit of the one tree, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil—a God-given limit (Ge 2:17). God placed limits on the expanse of the sea (Job 38:11). God placed limits upon humanity a second time there on the Plain of Shinar when he confused their language, prevented humanity from building the Tower of Babel, and stopped them from storming the gates of heaven itself (Ge. 11:1-9). Heaven is meant to be further than our reach, outside of our limits, and beyond our grasp. Jesus Christ, the only one who descended from heaven is also the only one who ascends into heaven (Jn. 3:13). Your reasonableness is simply your lack of any righteousness of your own deserving of heaven. Christ alone is your righteousness.
Prayers from those eager to exceed their limits and claim a righteousness of their own…
Father in heaven, you have established us within the boundaries of our humanity, so grant us new life in your Son, Jesus Christ, that we would enjoy and respect the humanity Jesus took on for our salvation. We pray through Jesus Christ who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen
Father in heaven, you have established us within the boundaries of our humanity, as we live out of our new life in Jesus Christ, grant that this creation, broken as it is by sin, be the arena of the work of our hands. We pray through Jesus Christ who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen
Father in heaven, you have established us within the boundaries of our humanity, as we put our hands to work in this creation, grant to us the joy of laboring in service to our neighbors and helping them in all their needs. We pray through Jesus Christ who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen
Father in heaven, you have established us within the boundaries of our humanity, as we help our neighbors, grant that we help one neighbor, the Institute of Lutheran Theology, as it raises up preachers and teachers of Jesus Christ for yet another generation. We pray through Jesus Christ who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen
Father in heaven, you have established us within the boundaries of our humanity, as we labor during these days of our baptism, keep your Word in our ears so that we do not lose hope waiting for that day when your Son shall come in all his glory. We pray through Jesus Christ who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen