Fourth Sunday of Advent – Luke 1:39-55

Imperatives of Discipleship – Rejoice!

Focus Question: What of Christ brings joy to your life?

word of life

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Luke 1:46 (NRSV)

Read Luke 1:39-55

When Mary hears the news about giving birth to God’s own son, she learns her cousin Elizabeth, an old woman, is also pregnant. “For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37) With haste Mary travels to visit her cousin Elizabeth. One can only imagine that conversation. As they are talking, Elizabeth feels her own child leap within her womb and is filled with God’s own Spirit.

1. Imagine the conversation between Mary and Elizabeth.
2. What questions might have gone through Mary’s mind and heart?

Elizabeth proclaims the obvious, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Mary is blessed, not just because she is pregnant with God’s Son, but because of her openness to God at work in her life.

3. What does it mean to be “blessed”?
4. Does blessing mean a pain-free existence? Use the story of Mary to illustrate your answer.
5. How is it possible to be blessed, yet still suffer?

Mary’s spirit soars with the joy over all that has transpired. She sings from the depths of her spirit, attempting to describe the joy of that moment. With humility, she admits her surprise that God would bless such a lowly maiden. It makes no sense to her, but this is God. And God is a Mighty One who does great things – not just for Mary, but for the people of Israel.

6. Of all women, why Mary?
7. Describe Mary. What was she like?

Mary describes her own spirit as one that magnifies God. This pregnancy is not about Mary. It is about God and the very nature of God. If Mary is a woman of love, it is because God is love. If Mary is a woman of inner peace, it is God who gives her peace.

8. What does it mean to magnify God?
9. Who else in the Bible magnifies God?

Mary understands God as one who favors the lowly, does great things, and is holy. God’s mercy invites people from generation to generation to respect and honor God. Time and time, God remembers Israel and call for acts of justice. Mary’s faith reflects the goodness of God. She trusts God because of the ways God has worked in her life and the life of her ancestors.

She might not expect God to select her to be an instrument of the long-awaited Messiah, but she expects God to fulfill promises made to Abraham and her ancestors. Her shock is not because God chose to act, but rather in God’s selection of herself, a lowly servant to give birth to Jesus.

10. What is worth remembering from this story?

word among us

Many congregations invite children and youth to participate in an annual Christmas pageant. Young shepherds get to wear bathrobes and place colorful towels on their heads. Angels adorn their backs with wings and sparkling gold garlands on their heads. Some lucky girl portrays Mary and holds a favorite doll wrapped in a blanket. Now and then, a cow or sheep makes it on the stage.

Throughout it all, grandparents sigh deeply as they watch the story of faith being passed to the next generation.

1. Take a moment to share a memory from a Christmas pageant.
2. How is Mary usually portrayed in Christmas pageants?

Some girls shy away from portraying Mary because she is so special. There is no doubt Mary embodied unmerited grace. Martin Luther writes,

Now, we described above at length how lowly was the estate of this tender Virgin and how unexpectedly this honor came to her, that God should regard her in such abundant grace. Hence she does not glory in her worthiness nor yet in her unworthiness, but solely in the divine regard, which is so exceedingly good and gracious that he deigned to look upon such a lowly maiden, and to look upon her in so glorious and honorable a fashion…For not her humility but God’s regard is to be praised. When a prince takes a poor beggar by the hand, it is not the beggar’s lowliness but the prince’s grace and goodness that is to be commended. (Luther Works Vol. 21, p. 314)

If we want to learn about being a disciple, we don’t have to look much further than Mary, the mother of Jesus. Her response is a model for anyone seeking to follow God. Mary is willing to serve, to give God glory, and to witness to God’s might deeds. Mary does not claim center stage, but points to God. Like John the Baptist, she points to one who is greater than herself.

3. What other characteristics of discipleship can be seen in Mary?
4. What of Mary might we incorporate in our own lives?
5. How might we point to Jesus Christ?
6. Create your own Magnficat, your own praise to God. Begin with the phrase, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Then add those things God has done in your life for which you rejoice. It need not be sung, but can be written down on paper. (Do this as a personal devotion or as part of a group process.)

Prayer

Mighty One, our souls desire to magnify you. Lift our voices and spirits so we might clearly point to you and bear witness to your greatness. Amen.

Dig Deeper

Luke 1:67-80

 

last word

Begin each day

offering a prayer to magnify the Lord

and for Christ’s coming.

 

Daily Discipleship

Written by John and Robin McCullough-Bade

Copyright © 2006 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

May be reproduced for local, non-sale use provided the above copyright notice is included.

www.elca.org/evangelizingchurch/dailydiscipleship 4 Advent C

Third Sunday of Advent – Luke 3:7-18

 Imperatives of Discipleship – Bear Fruit!

Focus Question:  What does it mean to bear fruit during this Advent season?

word of life 

“Bear fruits worthy of repentance.”  Luke 3:8 (NRSV)

Read Luke 3:7-18

Once again this week, we are confronted by John the Baptist.  In last Sunday’s gospel, we heard the call from John the Baptist to repentance.  This week, we hear from John the implications of repentance for our daily lives.

1. What difference does repentance make?

There are three points (as some say every good sermon should have) in John’s message:

·         the announcement of God’s coming and the call to repent

·         the implications of repentance

·         the imminent coming of the Messiah and what his message will be like.

The Call to Repent

The first words we hear from John to those who came to be baptized by him are certainly not inviting words of comfort but rather of challenge and admonition. Calling your audience a “brood of vipers” (vs. 7) is certainly a challenging way to begin!  Neither religious ritual (the crowds coming out to John to receive a baptism of repentance in vs. 7), nor ethnic or religious heritage – “we have Abraham as our ancestor” (vs. 8) – are of ultimate importance in preparation for God’s coming.  We might know the liturgy from memory, and our family might be good German Lutherans for generations.  But if our lives don’t reflect what our lips and faith confess, are we truly prepared?   Repentance calls for fruits which reflect a changed heart.

2.       In what ways does John’s message comfort you?

3.       In what ways does it challenge you?

The Implications of Repentance

The crowd’s reaction to John’s challenging message is a refreshing one:  “What then shall we do?”  They were apparently sincere in their repentance and wanted to “be fruitful” and do the right thing.  John responds to their question with concrete acts of justice and mercy which can be done in their daily lives.  To the common crowd, he calls for those who have to give to those who have not.  Even to the despised tax collectors and the mercenary soldiers who protected them, he calls for just actions and right relationships with others.

4.       How can you “bear fruits that are worthy of repentance” in your daily lives?

The Imminent Coming and Message of the Messiah

The people who see and hear John know of the promise of the Messiah who would usher in an age of justice, righteousness, and peace.  John’s message seems to fit. The people are filled with expectation (vs. 15).  Could this be the Messiah?

John responds to their expectations by pointing to the one who is yet to come.  Note the change in his message.  “Bearing fruit worthy of repentance” (vs. 8) becomes “I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals” (vs. 16).  In the end, it is God who makes us worthy.  In baptism, God’s Spirit cleanses us, refines us, and makes us worthy and able to bear fruit.   

            5.  How is John the Baptist’s message “good news” for the people (and for us)?

word among us 

Someone’s coming!  What wonderful news!  Someone’s coming!  But I’m not ready!

Parties and visitors are often a part of the holiday season.  It is not uncommon to have house guests and family members staying in our homes.  There is so much to do to be prepared for guests who are coming.  Food needs to be bought and prepared.  The house needs to be cleaned and dusted.   Decorations need to be brought down from the attic and arranged.  We want our house and our table to look their best.  We want everything to be perfect!

            1.  What are other things we do to prepare for guests?

But how do we prepare ourselves?  What can we do to make our guests feel important to us?   What can we do to indicate to those soon to be arriving that we are excited and glad that they are coming?  Our homes can be spic and span clean with all the right decorations, but if our words and actions are not welcoming, will our guests feel “at home”?

In this Advent season, we hear the message of John the Baptist heralding the coming of someone important and calling for preparation and repentance.  His words are filled with hope and expectation … and challenge.  Are we ready for Christ’s coming? 

            2.  How do we prepare for Christ’s coming into our lives?

John the Baptist reminds us that our lives should reflect the desire to change and to be ready in our hearts for Christ to come.  The words of a well-known hymn put it this way: 

            For not with swords loud clashing, nor roll of stirring drums,

            But deeds of love and mercy, the heavenly kingdom comes.

            (“Lead on, O King Eternal” Evangelical Lutheran Worship #805)

Our actions, words, and care for others are the fruits of our true preparation for God to come into our lives.  But if we are truly honest with ourselves and with God, we must confess that we are never truly ready.  Our spiritual homes will never be completely clean through our own efforts.  Our fruit will never come to full ripeness.  On our own, we can never be truly worthy for God to enter into our lives.  We know the truth of John the Baptist’s words:  “One who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal (vs. 16).”  On our own, we are never ready.

The good news is that even though we are not ready, God comes still.  And in the end, God readies us – forgiving us and cleansing our hearts.   The guest becomes the host, and we are welcomed at the table which has been prepared for us.  And so we can dare to pray:  “Amen!  Come, Lord Jesus and be our guest!”

3.        How do you hope to bear fruit in the coming week?

4.       What does it mean for you to be welcomed at the table of Holy Communion?

Prayer

Stir up your power, O Lord, and come.  Cleanse and prepare us, so that we might reflect your coming in all we say and do.    Amen

Dig Deeper

Philippians 4:4-9

            last word

This week, do something

that reflects Christ’s coming into your life.

Daily Discipleship

Written by John and Robin McCullough-Bade

Copyright © 2006 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

May be reproduced for local, non-sale use provided the above copyright notice is included.

www.elca.org/evangelizingchurch/dailydiscipleship