Oh, that you would come down to us!

 

Isaiah 64:1-9; Mark 13:24-37

Today, we begin a new liturgical year, a year of reading Mark’s story of Jesus’ life. Each Gospel writer has his own audience, his own purpose for writing, his own interpretation of the events, and his own writing style.

 Mark’s gospel is the first to be written, around 30 years after the crucifixion and resurrection. It is the shortest, with only 16 chapters. And it reads as if Jesus was in a hurry, or as if Mark was in a hurry for us to hear the story. The Gospel is heavily sprinkled with the word “immediately.” As we read we’ll note that Mark often says, “This happened, and then immediately, that happened.”

When we read anything, from a novel to a scientific study to scripture, it is helpful to keep the opening sentences in mind, as they set the stage for what is to follow. So, let’s take note of what Mark says first: “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” We know at once what Mark is going to tell us. The Gospel literally means good news. Jesus is the Messiah, the anointed one. Jesus is the Son of God.

 

The Gospel ends with the women at the empty tomb and an angel telling them that they should go to Galilee because they will see Jesus there. The ending echoes the beginning of the Gospel. The empty tomb is good news.

 As we begin the church year with the season of Advent, we don’t begin with stories of the conception of Jesus. We begin with readings about why Jesus came. Jesus came because the world was in a mess, the people were hurting, and God knew they needed some good news. God knew they needed a different way of seeing the world and a different understanding of the Divine.

 Every time the world seems to be in a real mess, there is a lot of talk and speculation about the end of the world, about Jesus’ second coming. Right now, there are wars, hurricanes, and a global pandemic. Wouldn’t this be a great time for Jesus to come again? Wouldn’t this be a good time for God to come and take all the good, believing folks out of this mess?

  Except, that’s not how God works. God calls us to be God’s hands on earth, to help fix the mess we are in. God called Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Moses, David and Isaiah to help fix the mess people were in. God did not take them out of the world, but called and trained them to do God’s work among the people.

 Isaiah said, “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down!” Just so, Jesus came down to us. God sent Jesus, God’s son, God with skin and voice and power on earth, to teach us how to be God’s hands, feet, and voice among the people. Jesus trained and sent the disciples who trained and sent others, in an endless chain of people called and send by God to be God’s hands and voice in the world.  

Look for these signs, Jesus said. There will be cosmic signs, the sun and the moon and the stars will tell the story of God’s power and glory. And there will be signs from nature. Just as we know the fig tree is about to bloom and bear fruit when it sprouts leaves, so there will be signs of God’s coming.

The early church leaders took Jesus’ words as a sign that he would come again soon, in a blaze of glory. Perhaps even Jesus thought this would be God’s way. But, as the years and decades and centuries passed, it seemed less likely that Jesus’ coming would be any time soon. And, every time the world seems to be in a mess, expectations of Jesus’ return abound.

 But, Mark doesn’t seem to be saying this. The good news for Mark is that Jesus is God’s son, and the tomb is empty. The good news is in the cross, which changes everything. For Mark, the cross is God’s sign that death is not the last word, that we do not have to earn a place in God’s heart, that God wants to give us life not punishment.

For Mark, then, Jesus has already returned. The glory of Easter morning is the sign from the sun and moon and stars that Jesus mentioned. Instead of waiting for a glorious return when God will make everything right, we should be alert, looking for signs of Jesus all around us, now, today.

The readings in Advent help us get ready for the birth of baby Jesus by reminding us, year after year, of the reason for his coming. They help to prepare our hearts for the gift we will receive, for the gifts we continue to receive.

So, Advent reminds us to notice, to pay attention, just as I said last week. Here’s another opportunity to consider “Where do we see Jesus?” What are some signs of his coming to live among us?

We see him in the manger, a huggable baby. This time of year, every baby we see reminds us of Jesus who came to us as an infant – at least as Matthew and Luke tell the story.

 

 

 

We see him in the children we know and love, and in the children we’ve never met. We remember how Jesus called the children to himself, welcomed them and told people that children are important.

 

 

 

We see Jesus in our neighbors, in the neighbors we know and love, those we only wave at, and those we don’t know. We see Jesus in all sorts of people, of every skin color and ability.

 

Especially during the last year, we see Jesus in essential workers, and those for whom they care. We see Jesus in those suffering from COVID, in those who die in ICUs without family, and in families who grieve their deaths.

 

And we see Jesus in each home where people are living in isolation. Even if we live alone, we are not alone, because Jesus lives there with us.

 

 

The Prayer of the Day for each Sunday in Advent begins, “Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come.” It is a reminder of Isaiah’s cry, “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down!”

 God has heard our cry. Jesus came to earth with God’s power, and passed that power to us. It’s a reminder for us to stir up our own power and be Jesus for those who are looking for him. So, go and be Jesus for someone. Amen