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Finally! December 11, 2022


Matthew 11:2-11, Advent 3A

Theme: Joy


This Sunday, on the Advent Candle Wreathe, we light the candle of joy.


So… what is ‘joy’?


In the dictionary, we find the following definition:

1 a: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires: DELIGHT

b: the expression or exhibition of such emotion : GAIETY

2: a state of happiness or felicity : BLISS

3: a source or cause of delight

Of all the synonyms for the word ‘joy’; exuberance, euphoria, …. Perhaps the ones most pertinent to this day are gratification, exuberance, and felicity or happiness.


In one Bible dictionary we find these words defining the use of the word joy:


“Old Testament imagery for joy is carried over into the New. Jesus joins the joys of marriage and spiritual ones by describing John the Baptist's reaction to his coming as the joy (chara [carav])of the friend of the bridegroom ( John 3:29-30 ).This is accentuated by this pericope's proximity to the Cana wedding miracle where the water changed to a superior wine relieves an embarrassed host ( John 2:1-11 ).Wine, a source of joy, anticipates eschatological joy of which Christ is an endless source( Psalm 104:15 ).Joy is associated with the nativity. The birth of John the Baptist as the forerunner of the Messiah is an occasion of joy for his father and others ( Luke 1:14 ). The angel's greeting (chaire) to Mary followed by "highly favored, " a word of the same family in Greek, may be taken as a command to rejoice as the Redeemer's mother( Luke 1:28 ).Shepherds hear that news of the birth of Christ is an occasion for great joy for all people ( Luke 2:10 ).Luke's cycle is completed with the disciples returning with great joy after Jesus' ascension ( 24:52 ).The Magi, upon finding the infant Jesus, are "overjoyed" ( Matt 2:10 ).”


But the lectionary in its gospel reading refers to another event. There we find John known as the Baptist in prison. Like many prophets before him, he was put on the spot by Herod Agrippa. He was a weak king. He was a man who could not see beyond his carnal senses. Full of desire, he became so obsessed with his brother’s wife that divorced his own wife and married her. This, of course, caused quite a stir in his kingdom. He called John the Baptist who was a popular and well-respected prophet to make a judgement on his actions. Perhaps he was hoping the man would exonerate him. Instead, the prophet condemned the king’s behavior. For this John the Baptist was put in prison.


It is believed by some scholars that while in prison, John the Baptist began to doubt the actions of his life. A few years before, he had baptized Jesus while proclaiming him to be the Messiah. Now, in prison, this 30-year-old something man is wanting to know if his dynamic prophetic life was worth it. He asked his friends to go to Jesus and ask in his behalf, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?”


Is John the Baptist searching for fulfillment in his life?


Well, Jesus does answer his cousin. He says, ““Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”


This good news had to be a source of Joy to John the Baptist. It meant that his life had meaning. It meant that the sacrifices he made, and the stand he against Herod took was not in vain. It meant his life was fulfilled. His belief in God’s Call had been validated. It also meant that the Messiah, the one the Jewish people had anticipated for over a thousand years had finally come.


Joy, then, can be defined as the feeling one gets when realizing they are fulfilling God’s call to service. It is what John the Baptist felt when he realized that Jesus was in fact the Messiah.


The Messiah had come.


Worship with us in person at 10:30 AM as we will be giving thanks for the coming of the Messiah. The service will also be streamed live on the internet -- (https://fccmaryvillemo.com) or on the church’s home Facebook page. If you missed the live stream, a recorded session is also available to view at your convenience. Want to make a comment on my blog? Click on https://fccmaryvillemosanc.wixsite.com/ftdo.

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