12-8-24 “You Are the Messenger God Has Sent”
“You Are the Messenger God Has Sent”
I want to start with something funny I found online: Two men were walking through a game park when they came across a lion that hadn’t eaten for days. The lion started chasing them. They ran as fast as they could, but one man, growing tired, decided to pray: “O Lord, please turn this lion into a Christian.” He looked back and saw the lion on its knees. Overjoyed, he turned around and approached the lion. As he got closer, he heard the lion praying: “Thank you, Lord, for the food I am about to receive.”
Have you ever been surprised when your prayers were answered?
There was once a righteous and sincere couple in God’s sight: Zechariah and Elizabeth. Zechariah was a priest serving in the Temple, and Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. However, they had no children. In ancient times, being childless was often seen as a sign of God’s punishment for sin. Imagine the grief and pain they endured despite being described as righteous in God’s sight. They likely spent years shedding tears and praying for a child.
One day, an angel appeared and said, “Your prayer has been heard. Your wife will bear you a son” (Luke 1:13). Yet Zechariah responded in fear, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years” (Luke 1:18). The angel replied, “Now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time” (Luke 1:20).
Here’s a question: Have you ever prayed for years without an answer and eventually given up? What if God heard your prayer, but chose to answer it later? What if God sent an angel to deliver the answer?
Adam Hamilton writes in his book Prepare the Way for the Lord, our Advent study book, “Most of the angels we meet in Scripture are not winged beings but look like ordinary people” (p. 12). We know the angels who appeared to Abraham were humans, and the angel who appeared to Mary Magdalene looked like a man in white robes (Mark 16:6, Luke 24:4). Who knows—angels might be among us even now.
Ask one another, “Are you an angel God has sent?” I believe that you are all angels God has sent to this church and community.
Today is the second Sunday of Advent. As I mentioned last week, Advent is the season of waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ. While we often prepare for Christmas with decorations, presents, food and clothing, we must remember that Christmas celebrates Jesus’ birth. Advent is a time to prepare not only for Christmas, but also for the second coming of Jesus.
As we lit the second Advent candle today, symbolizing peace, we reflect on the Prophet Isaiah’s words: “For to us a child is born… and he will be called Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus came as the Prince of Peace and to fulfill His mission, He died on the cross. The Apostle Paul reminds us, “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14).
Yet, we still see wars, conflict, division and discrimination in our communities and beyond. Why? Because we have not fully given ourselves to God, following Jesus with all our hearts and minds. True peace comes when we fully embrace our identity as God’s children. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Are we at peace with our families, friends and neighbors? Are we faithful peacemakers?
In Korean tradition, shaped by a history of wars and colonization, greetings often check on peace: “Anyoung haseyo?” means “Are you at peace?” Even at bedtime, they say, “Please sleep in peace.” Similarly, in Israelite tradition, the greeting “Shalom” also means peace. The risen Jesus greeted His disciples with, “Peace be with you!” (John 20:19).
How about us? We say, “Peace be with you,” every Sunday, but do we live at peace? Peace is still needed in our homes, churches, workplaces, schools, communities and the world. That’s why we await Jesus, who brings true peace.
Every Advent season, we reflect on John the Baptist, who spent his life preparing for Jesus. John’s message begins with repentance. Advent is not just about decorating our homes or buying gifts; it’s about preparing our hearts. Repentance is a turning—a deliberate decision to change direction and align ourselves with God’s ways.
Imagine preparing for an important guest. We would clean, decorate, and prepare food. Similarly, ancient communities prepared roads for their kings, as if to “fill every valley, level every hill, and smooth every rough way.” What valleys in your life—of despair, doubt, or complacency—need to be filled with faith and hope? What mountains—of pride, sin, or selfishness—need to be leveled in humility? Repentance clears the clutter in our lives, making space for Jesus to reign fully in our hearts.
John’s ministry began in the wilderness—a desolate, barren place. Yet, in Scripture, the wilderness is often where God’s people experience transformation. Israel wandered the wilderness for 40 years, learning to trust God. Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days, preparing for His ministry. The wilderness strips away distractions and reminds us of our dependence on God. Advent invites us into this spiritual wilderness. As we step back from the busyness of the season, we can listen more closely for God’s voice and allow Him to shape us. Luke quotes Isaiah’s prophecy, declaring that “all flesh shall see God’s salvation” (Luke 3:6). The coming of Jesus is a message of hope not just for a few but for the whole world.
This Advent, how are we sharing that hope? Who in our lives needs to hear the good news of Jesus? We are called to be like John the Baptist—messengers who prepare the way for others to meet Christ. Let us not keep this hope to ourselves but share it through acts of kindness, reconciliation, and peace.
Preparing the way of the Lord means being agents of peace, breaking down walls that divide us, and bringing people together in love. Advent is a time to examine our hearts, embrace repentance and actively seek God’s peace in our lives and the world around us. As we journey through this season, let us make space for Christ by leveling the mountains of pride, filling the valleys of despair, and smoothing the rough places of division. And let us remember that the promise of Advent is not just preparation—it is also fulfillment.
As God sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus, He has sent us to prepare our homes, workplaces, and communities for Christ’s return. As children of God, we are called to be peacemakers in a world that desperately needs peace.
Thanks be to God! Amen.