Can you imagine what it was like to hear prophet after prophet after prophet tell of the coming of the Messiah…only to have to wait, and wait, and wait, and wait? The waiting was excruciating as day after day passed, turning into months, years, and centuries as generations passed before an Anointed child born from a virgin would enter the world in the most unexpected and inglorious of circumstances. The words of leaders, seers, and sages like Micah, Daniel, Isaiah, Malachi, and Jeremiah created a drumbeat of eternal hope that proclaimed the coming Messiah would establish the ultimate promise and covenant from Yahweh and bring peace, salvation, and reconciliation to all of creation.
As the candles on an Advent wreath, either at home or in a congregational worship setting, are lit during these weeks of waiting we are remembering the First Advent…waiting for the Promise. Yet every day, we as Christians live as people of the Second Advent…waiting for the Return.
Waiting for the Promise created a heightened sense of anticipation. A hurting world was longing for liberation, looking for a sliver of light in the dark, and eagerly desiring a tangible, noticeable, and powerful manifestation of God’s power and might. Then Jesus was born and except for those who heard the angels proclaiming His birth and were willing to follow the Light of the Natal Star, few people noticed or knew that finally God was among them, as one of them.
For Christians living in this modern version of a still-hurting world longing, hoping, and waiting remain as we anticipate the Second Coming…thus we live in the time of the Second Advent. The biggest difference is through the known life of Christ, his death, and his resurrection we are tasked with maintaining His presence by obeying His commandments until He comes again. What then shall sustain, inspire, and empower us to meet the challenge of being Christ in the world until He comes again? The Gospel of John provides an answer.
John brings these past and present Advents together by introducing and emphasizing the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. This third manifestation of the Triune God is first described in John’s account of Jesus’ Baptism: 32Then John (the baptizer) gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” (John 1:32-34, NIV)
Jesus makes a final declaration of challenge for us, as well as offering assurance that the Holy Spirit will be ever present until He comes for us: 15 ‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. 17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. 25 ‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. (John 14:15-17, 25-26, NRSV)
Lord, order our waiting that it may align with your Coming…
Rev. Dr. David Weatherly
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