mid-week Advent 3

Advent Mid-week 3

December 17, 2003

Zephaniah 3:14-15

“Rejoicing in God’s Mercy"

INTRODUCTION: The times in which the prophet Zephaniah lived were filled with challenge and intrigue – similar to our life and time. Sitting on the throne over Judah was a young king by the name of Josiah. He served at a time when the people’s hearts had grown cold as they had wandered far away from the Lord.

Yet, often we find that men are chosen in history to live and serve and lead at such critical times. It was during King Josiah’s reign that the book of the Law was discovered. Josiah found the long-lost books of the Law just before the faith in the land would have been snuffed out.

It was Josiah’s task to reform the people back to God and for this challenge God raised up the prophet Zephaniah as part of the effort to call Judah and especially Jerusalem back to God. It is within this context that our text for tonight was recorded in sacred Scripture.

As we are counting down the days before Christmas parties are in full gear – there are office parties, club and classroom celebrations not to mention family gatherings that are soon to commence. 

Yet how many times do people have parties only to complain about the company! “Did you see what she wore? How cheap could he be - serving that! Who do you think they were truing to impress? They only show up when they want something!  Sound familiar? Sadly it is true - people simply do not have reconciliation parties to celebrate true joy.

Turning to our text for tonight the prophet Zephaniah describes Judah as a young girl who should be at a party. The prophet writes, “Sing, O daughter of Zion, shout aloud, O Israel – Be glad and rejoice with all your heart O daughter of Jerusalem.” (Vs. 14)

There is true joy to be found when God and people are brought together and reconciled. The words of our text express the true spirit of Christmas as we find God’s joy over the return of His people. Advent is not all solemnity –there are reasons for us to rejoice. This evening lets concentrate on three good reasons for us to rejoice.

1.         Danger has passed – “the Lord has taken away your punishment.” (Vs. 15a)  At Christmas we rejoice that God has come to visit His people. At Christmas God broke into time and space to take upon Himself the burden of our sin. Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary Christ took on flesh and dwelt among us.  He took on flesh to be our substitute. He was human in every respect yet without sin. Thus He is perfectly equipped to take away our punishment. Where Adam fell Jesus triumphed. Where Adam gave into temptation Jesus stood up to the test even the last temptation. “If you are the Son of God come down from the cross and even now we will believe in you!” 

Transition: “The Lord has taken away your punishment.” The danger has passed because Jesus has conquered and triumphed- taking our punishment that we deserved. With the punishment taken away our enemies are defeated.

2.         Our enemies are gone – “He has turned back your enemies” (Vs. 15b) Our enemies are numerous. Sin, death, the world and our own flesh, they all rise up to condemn us. The last enemy to be defeated is death. Death awaits us all – sacred Scripture is quite clear on the matter. “The soul that sins it shall die” and “The wages of sin is death”

Working behind these evil minions, forces and sources is the Devil himself “the father of lies” who deceives the whole earth.  “And there was a war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. And the dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the Devil and Satan, he was thrown down to the earth and his angels were thrown down with him.” [Revelation 12:7-9]  “For God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment.” [2 Peter 2:4] “And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day” [Jude 6]

The Devil was no match for the Savior. Advent’s rejoicing and Christmas joy only makes sense with a clear view of the bloody cross. Matthew explains it this way: “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of their tombs and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.” [Matthew 27:50-53]

Transition: There is reason for us to rejoice! Danger has now past, our enemies are gone. Out God reigns!

3.         God is in our midst – “The Lord the King of Israel is with you – never again will you fear any harm” (Vs. 15c)

Jesus has given us His promise. Never will I leave you – never will I forsake you. This is the promise conferred to us. Most promises we make are made with the best of intentions but they leave us disappointed and disturbed when they are broken. Christ can not break His promises. He is bound to keep them. He can never go back on His Word. To the contrary he has bound Himself to His word. When God’s Word is preached, read, shared or applied in Baptism and consumed in the Supper there God is conferring to us His promises – promises to bless us, to guide and sustain us. He bestows on us His blessings – forgiveness, life salvation. They can never be separated! Where there is the forgiveness of sins there is always life and salvation.

God is with us. Because He is in our midst, never again, never, ever will you fear any harm. Our enemies are defeated, danger is past us – God remains with us to bless and keep us. His gift, His blessings, His benediction turns the glow of Advent promises into the brilliance of Christmas fulfillment!

CONCLUSION: How long did the rejoicing in Judah and Israel last? About 20 years – Josiah’s 30 years of reforms bought Judah and Israel just a little bit of time [about two decades] before Jerusalem was sacked by the Babylonians. Over time Judah and Israel fell back into idol worship. Their rejoicing lasted but a season. For our rejoicing to be significant and lasting may our focus remain on Christ who alone has borne our sin reconciled us to the Father and also to each other.