December 1st, 2019

Matthew 24:36-44

                     “Are You Ready for the Lord?”

Today is the first Sunday of “Advent.” The word “Advent” is from “Adventus” in Latin,
and it is translated to “Parousia” in Greek, which means “coming” or “arriving at.” Advent in
the Christian calendar means “the season that is waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Actually, Advent is the first day of the Christian calendar. So, today is the first day in a
new year of the Christian calendar. Therefore, Christians begin their faithful journey of a year
waiting for Jesus Christ, who comes back again.

In the season of Advent, we light five unique candles; three purples, one pink or red,
and one white. Until Christmas Day, we light one by one. Each candle has a special meaning.
The first candle is the symbol of hope; the second is peace; the third is a joy; the fourth is
love, and the fifth white candle is the symbol of the light of Christ. It is the symbol that Jesus
Christ comes to the dark world as the light with hope, peace, joy, and love. As Jesus comes
into the world, we pray that Jesus brings us hope, peace, joy, love, and light in the world.
Therefore, we begin the season of Advent with these candles waiting for hope, peace, joy,
love, and light that Jesus Christ brings us.

There was a man who was waiting for the Lord for his whole life long. His destiny was
to prepare for the way of the Lord. He did not drink at all, and he did not enjoy his life, as did
others. He did not have his home. He lived in the wilderness, eating locusts and wild honey
and wearing clothes of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist. Many people thought

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of him as a crazy man. However, he believed that it was his ministry in God, which is
preparing for the way of the Lord. He is the Baptist John. Finally, he met Jesus and baptized
him in Jordan River. And the Baptist John assured that he is the Lord Jesus Christ at that
moment.

Nevertheless, before he dies in prison, he might want to ensure whether Jesus is the
Messiah, who he waited for his whole life. So, he sent his disciples to Jesus. And, asked:
“Are you the one who is to come, or do we have to wait for another?”
The Baptist John might be urgent to know Jesus is really the Lord, whom he waited for.
Jesus answered the people, who were sent by the Baptist John,
“Go and tell John what you hear and see”:

“The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead
are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes
no offense at me” (Matt.11:4-6).

The Baptist John spent his whole life to prepare for the way of the Lord because he
believed in Jesus Christ, as the Messiah. The Baptist John met the Lord before he died. He
might not regret his life because he assured Jesus Christ the Messiah.
Jesus says that “blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me” (Matt. 11:6).

In the Bible of New International Version, “blessed is the man who does not fall away on
account of me.” In other words, if you do not disappoint at the Lord, the blessed is yours.
As the Baptist John did, many Christians live in their belief of the Christ, Proclaiming
the good news, outreaching to the people, evangelizing people, sacrificing lifelong because of
Jesus Christ. They would sometimes give up their joyful life because of Jesus Christ.
Nevertheless, they disappoint at the chaotic situation in the world and pray that Jesus comes
soon, Emmanuel our Lord! As the Baptist John had a curiosity if the Christ did not come yet,

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some Christians may doubt if everything is vain what they believe in God. If Jesus is fake,
how Christians poor! For over 2000 years, all Christians over the world are going to be crazy.
However, we are sure that Jesus Christ is our savior. He died on the Cross to save us
from our sin and then, he resurrected from the dead to give us hope for eternal life. He
promised us that he will be with us until the end of the world. And, he also promised us that
he will come again soon before the end of the world.

Therefore, we are waiting for Jesus Christ, who is coming to us again, and who is
bringing hope, peace, joy, love, and light in the world. Even though our life gives us
difficulties, and also through the world is getting chaotic situations, we have hope in the
promise of Christ, holding the sign of the Cross.

We do not know when he comes back exactly, only God knows it. However, for sure, as
it was the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Lord. For in the days before the
flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah
entered the ark they knew nothing.

As like this, we knew nothing until the day is coming. We live in ordinary lives.
Therefore, we have to be faithful in daily life. Jesus gives us a call for faithfulness as we live
in hope. The way we live in devotion in God is we have a meaningful relationship with Jesus
Christ, not a fear of his second coming. As Noah built the ark for 120 years, we may wait for
the Lord building the church up, outreaching people, evangelizing people, and make them
disciples of Jesus Christ until Jesus comes back. Do not give up bringing hope, peace, joy,
love, and light in the world because it is sure that Jesus Christ is coming back.
We light the first candle today as a symbol of Christ our hope. May the light sent from
God shine in the darkness to show us the way of salvation. O come, O come Emmanuel!

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Posted in Sermons