Today marks the second Sunday of Advent. Another week of journeying closer to the cross. It might seem like I am confused as it is Christmas that is around the corner. However, our journey to Christmas is also a journey to the cross.
John the Baptist in Luke 3 is calling people to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. The passage in Malachi 3 speaks also of preparing the way. In both instances this not merely a physical preparation but also a spiritual one. This preparation requires us to remember our baptism, not only as a sign of being part of the Body of Christ but also as a reminder of being cleansed as we offer repentance to God in preparation of the coming Messiah, of the cross.
What preparation do you need to make in your life? Physically and spiritually?
What needs to be flattened, straightened, filled or smoothed out in preparation for the coming of Jesus?
I was drawn to Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Having faith and hope in the work that has begun in each person and how this work will be completed by the One who began this great work, Paul reminds us that the same is true of us today. Therein lies our hope. The work that Jesus has begun in each of us also requires our participation and commitment. In this, we need to ask ourselves the above questions frequently so that we can be ready for the coming of the Messiah in our time of life. Whether we meet Jesus in this life or the life to come, we need to be ready.
In what “condition” will Jesus find us?
My prayer for you is that of Paul’s to the people of Philippi, verse 9, “that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.” Amen.
God bless
Have a Blessed Love-filled week.
Gill