Today's Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-19
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 40:1-17; Revelation 7:1-17
“The Lord God will raise up a prophet from among you, out of your brothers, like me–you will listen to him.” (Deuteronomy 18:15)
Merry Advent! In the Name of Jesus. Amen. God can come to you immediately or mediately. He can speak to you directly, as He did with the children of Israel from the mountain. He can also speak to you mediately, that is, through means. Which do you think is better?
We think sometimes that we want to talk to God directly and have a heart-to-heart chat with Him. How would that go? Do we really think that we’d just have coffee and a pleasant conversation with Him?
The children of Israel didn’t want anything to do with the voice of the Lord or to see the great fire that was His glory. God speaking immediately to them was too much for them! They didn’t want to die. So they sent Moses up the mountain to speak with God for them.
When God shows up immediately, it’s too much for us! He’s just too holy. He’s too righteous. We have no chance. He’s too...well, God! If God were to show up, we sinners would be consumed!
Jesus–He’s the prophet Moses promised. He’s God, begotten of the Father from all eternity, yet also He is one of us, born of Mary and God Himself. He comes to fulfill all that God required on the mountain for us to do and to suffer and die for all that we haven’t done.
You don’t have to go up a mountain to hear Jesus speak to you. Nor do you have to go back to the manger or the Cross to be saved. To save you, God comes to you through means–the Word and Sacraments. In His gifts, He delivers all that He won for you by His Cross and resurrection.
He washes your sins away in the waters of your Baptism. He speaks forgiveness to you in Holy Absolution. He comforts you with His Word. He eats with us–even us–at His Supper.
The Lord doesn’t come to you today immediately in loud voices or rumbling mountains. Thank God! He chooses to save us in His gifts. In His gifts, He speaks to us, forgives us, and gives us life. Have a happy gift-receiving week and a Merry Advent! In the name of Jesus. Amen.